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Early Settlers 



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1877. 



EARLY SETTLERS 



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HAHRISON, MAINE, 



-WITH AN- 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH OF THE SETTLEMENT, 



PROGRESS AND PRESENT CONDITION OF 



THE TOWN. 



By Rev. G. T. Ridlon. 



SKOWHEGAX : 
KILHV & WOODDURY, Printers. 

1877. 




<}r 



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TO THE EEADER. 



This liumble volume makes uo pretensious to be a history 
of the to\ni of Harrison from its settlement to the present 
time. It was not my purpose when compiling the geneal- 
ogies of the pioneer families of the town, to give any 
account of the settlement and growth of the to\^^l other 
than was closely associated with the history of families ; 
but many representatives of the families whose pedigrees 
I have made out, expressed a desire to see a sketch of the 
town history in the work when published. I must say 
that neither my time nor means would admit of an attempt 
to prepare a complete history of the town ; and, besides, 
such a work- should begin with the early history of 
Bridgton and Otisfield, towns from which Harrison was 
made. I will here say that I have gathered a considera- 
ble amount of material which woidd jirojierly come within 
the scope of the history of the towns before mentioned, and 
shall be glad to assist any competent person in prei)aring 
such a work. The material found in the genealogical de- 
partment of this work has been gathered from a Avide held. 
I have spent days in Ustening to the aged people, as they 
recounted events connected wdth the early settlement of 
the town, in which they enacted a part, or were witnesses 
of; and these I have noted down for jiermanent preser- 
vation. The records of the old families have been gath- 
ered from family registers, old bibles, wills, deeds, inven- 
tories, petitions, grave-stones and the town records. Much 
has been gathered from distant parts by correspondence. 
Great care and patience have been exercised to avoid 
mistakes in dates. Where discrepencies were known to 
exist, I have searched diligently for the "bottom facts." 
Those who have provided records must bear the res]>on- 
sibility of their correctness ; I have copied such verbatim. 



PREFACE NOTE. 



No doubt errors will be found and corrected in the future ; 
but it is believed the genealogies will be found nearly 
correct. Nearly all of the old pioneers have passed away, 
and would have left but little by which tlieir history 
conld have been known, but for the exertions of the 
author to note down such incidents as they were recount- 
ed, before tlieir memories were impaired. The meagre 
records of the town have nearly faded out by lajjse ot 
time, (those relating to its early history) and will soon be 
illegible ; the old tomb-stones are moss-grown and <'rumb- 
hiig; old documents have been destroyed by vermin or 
sold to the tin-pedler, and in a few more years nothing 
would have been found for the basis of a town history 
but faint and fragmentary traditions. The author has 
not been insjnrcd to his self-imposed undertaking by the 
l)ride of birthright, for he is only a townsman by adop- 
tion ; he has not driven his horse over the hills and 
through the deep snows when gathering the statistics for 
this M'ork, for pecuniary considerations, as all know who 
are acquainted with the expense of compiling and pub- 
lishing siu'h a work ; he has not i^rosecuted the task Avith 
tlie persistency and discrimination which it has demand- 
ed, with tlie expectation of receiving the thanks of the 
present towns-peoi)le, for so few appreciate a work of its 
(;lass sufticiently as to regard the time devoted to it but 
foolishly employed ; but the work has been carried for- 
ward under an impetus of inborn interest in the perma- 
nent preservation of the annals and records of towns and 
families. Wliile otliers have been sleeping, much now 
found in this little book was arranged and composed. 
The work is too limited in scoi)e to give place to any old 
documents ; it has been condensed as mu<;h as possibk' and 
be s])ecific. I sincerely hope that some competent histo- 
rian will consult the i)roprietors' records of Otistield, and 
other documentary evidence, and write a detailed and 
authentic history of the towns of Bridgton, Otistield and 
Harrison: for these towns are so intimately associated in 
historical interest that the history of one must be, in i)art, 
the historv of the other. There is this comforting thought 



PKEFACE NOTE. 



about my work, viz : That my undertaking lias been a 
commendable one ; that I have done all in my power, 
with my means, to make it reliable, and that it will, like 
wine, gi-ow lieher and be better api)reeiated in the future 
than at present. Those who know the least about the 
magnitude of my wt>rk, and the difficulties with which 
one of its class is attended, will have the least patience 
with any errors they may discover ; while those who have 
had experience in such work will properly a})i)reciate 
what I have accomplished. With the hope that the ma- 
terial incorporated in this book may prove of value to 
rtie families Avhose rtcoi'ds it ])rescrves, and to future 
writers as a reference, I commit it to the public. 

G. T. EIDLOy, 

Harrison, Maine. 

August 1, 1877. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

HISTORICAL SKETCH 7 

OUR PIONEER FAMILIES 20 

ABBOTT FAMILY 04 

BISBEE " 2.5 

BENNETT " 05 

BOLSTER " og 

BRAY " 28 

BURNHAM " 31 

BKACKETT " 34 

CllAl'LIX " 37 

CHADIIOURNE 38 

ANUTHKR " 41 

CAK^LEV " 43 

tASWELL " 50 

CUMMINGS " ■■ 54 

DAWES " ■ 55 

EMERSON " 57 

FOSTER " 59 

GAMMON " ■ 64 

GILSON " ■■ 64 

GRAY' " 67 

HALL " 68 

HOWARD " 70 

HOBBS " ■ ■ ■ 72 

HASKELL " 74 

HARMON " 76 

HARMON " , " 79 

INGALLS " 82 

ANOTHER " • ■ ••• ^^ 

JOHNSON " 83 

KNEPXANT) " ■ ■ 86 

KILBOURN " 90 

LiVKIN " ■ ■ 91 

LAMB " 93 

LEWIS " 93 

LOWELL " 95 

NEWCOMB " ■■ 97 

NEAL " 97 

PACKARD " ■ ' 98 

PITTS " 99 

phinnt:y " 100 

plaisted " 102 

PEIROE " . 102 

PERLEY " 104 

RUSSELL " • 106 

ROSS " 106 

SCRIBNER " 107 

ANOTHER " . , •.,... 109 

STRICItLAND '. '. '. ". '. '. '.'.','.'.'. 110 

STEWART " Ill 

SAMPSON " 114 

SPRINGER " 117 

STILES " 'in 

THOMS " 118 

ANOTHER " 119 

TRAFTON " 120 

M^ALKER " ' ' 121 

WATSON " "125 

WOODSUM " 127 

WHITEMORE ' 13n 

WITHAM " ' ' 131 

WILLARD " '133 

WHITNEY " . ' ■ 136 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



The to\ni of Harrison, named in honor of the Hon. 
Harrison Gray Otis, of Boston, was taken from the 
towns of Bridgton and Otisflekl ; the former town was 
granted to soldiers who were in the Canada exjjedition 
of 1090, and confirmed to them in 1765. The town was 
originally called Pondicherry, and was afterwards named 
for Moody Bridges, Esq. Otisflekl was granted to 
Hon. James Otis, Nathaniel Gorham, and the other 
heirs of Capt. John Gorham, Jnne 14, 1777, for services 
against Canada, in 1770. 

In 1805, that part of Bridgton lying on the east side of 
Long Pond, containing abont 8500 acres, was taken off to 
form, in part, the new town of Harrison, and, united with 
that part of Otisflekl on the west side of Crooked Eiver, 
was incorporated into a town, March 8, 1805. 

When the flrst explorers, and early settlers, came into 
the township they found it a dense wilderness. There 
were no marks of the woodman's axe, or prints of the 
white man's foot ; no sound was heard to disturb the aw- 
ful silence of the primeval solitudes, save the music of 
the waterfall, and the scream of wild beasts ; and the 
only thing to guide them, or to help them on tl«?ir way, 
were the Indian trails. 

The flrst settlers who established themselves on the 
town lands, were men well adapted to the work of the 
pioneer; descended from the Puritan stock of the old 
colony of Plymouth, and born during the dark days of 



8 IIAKlilSOX, MAINE. 

the Indian wars ; skilled in woodcraft, and a(;(iuainted 
with hardships and the use of the musket from childhood, 
they were calculated to endure the deprivations that are 
incident to the settlement of a new country. 

Several of the first settlers were born in the old fort at 
Gorham, when tlieir parents had taken shelter there to 
save themselves from the torch aud scalping-knife of the 
treacherous red men ; and were reared at a time when 
their parents could only cultivate their growing crops, 
or attend the worship of God under arms; when the 
mothers dare not leave the cradles of their sleeping in- 
fants for a moment, lest they should be snatched away 
and borne to the wigwam of the savage. Under constant 
apprehension of danger, and trained to watch every bush 
and brake with discriminating vigilance, these children, 
grew to be men and women of courage, fortitude and 
strong nerves, invested with strong constitutions, aud 
capable of great endurance. 

The woods everywhere abounded with game, and the 
waters with fish, so that the jnoneers could provide for 
the necessities of their families until their ground would 
yield a sufficient harvest to depend upon as the basis of 
supply; and for several years much of the liAiug was 
taken by the rifle and traj). Bears and wolves were con- 
stantly destrojang the growing corn, or stealing fi'om the 
sheep-fold, and the settlers were compelled to hunt these 
marauders as a means of extermination, as well as to 
furnish meat for their tables. 

There were times when the early settlers suffered ex- 
tremely from cold, exposure and hunger ; and a less 
courageous and determined i)eople would have deserted 
for more i)oi)ulous distiicts. The wives and mothers 



HISTORICAL sketch! 9 



sliared in all the interests and hardships of their hus- 
bands ; they worked in the fields, went to mill, and made 
the cloth for their ovni and family's wear. Before mills 
were built, corn was pounded into samp, and boiled ^\ith 
milk for food. 

The first houses were built of logs, and chinked with 
moss ; the roof covered with bark ; the floors, if any, 
were usually of hewn logs, and the fire-places of stones, 
rudely made, and the chimney-tops made of sticks of 
wood. In these primitive dwellings the famil}- lived, 
worked and slept ; and by their rough hearth-stones many 
of our towns-people were reared, who have since enjoyed 
all the comforts of the well arranged modern homes. 

As soon as mills were in operation, and the clearings 
were sufficiently productive to provide comfortable family 
support, the log-house gave place to the frame, and 
weather-boarded dwelling ; and its rude furnishings to 
the more pretentious conveniences of prosperous times. 
But the settlers and their famiUes had to be industrious 
to provide for the immediate demands of every-day life ; 
the noise of the spinning-wheel and the loom from the 
inside, and that of the axe and flax-brake on the outside, 
were the sounds that awoke the children in those days, 
instead of the piano and organ of our days. The parents 
had but few books and but little leisure to read them ; 
and the children had few advantages for learning letters ; 
many of them learned to write on birch harl-. 

The first settler in town was John Caksley, from Gor- 
liam, a descendant of a Puritan family in old Plymouth 
Colony ; he oi)ened a clearing on the I'idge, near where 
Mr. George ('fmmings row lives, but on the opposite 
side of the road tliat leads to the old Baptist Meeting 



10 * HAEEISON, MAINE. 

House. A brother of John, Nathan Caesley, and a 
brotlier-iii-law, jA]vrES Watson, came into town about 
tlie same time ; the formei' settled just below his brother 
John's clearing, and the latter, about one mile below the 
village, on the "Pond Eoad." It has been a matter of dis- 
pute, whether Nathan Caesley or James Watson built 
the first /rawe house in this town, but from the best evi- 
dences to be obtained, I conclude that Watson's was built 
first. The boards were sawed in Waterford, and Mr. 
Watson's place was very much nearer the mill, and more 
easily reached with a team than Mr. Carsley's ; besides 
some of the old peoj^le have informed me that they heard 
Mv. Watson say his house was the first erected. 

The Carsleys came into town and fell trees in . the au- 
tumn prcAious to their removal ; and after building some 
rude "Sugar Cami)s" they returned to Gorham. In the 
following March, 1793, they came into town with their 
wives and made maple sugar — and that was not all, for 
Nathan's wife, who had been drawn over the snow on a 
hand-sled by her husband from Otisfield, gave birth to a 
child during their sojourn here — the first child born in 
the town. They returned to Gorham, and remained there 
until their second child was born, 1790. It is believed 
that the brothers planted corn and erected substantial 
log-houses while their families were in Gorham ; and by 
some that they did not permanently locate until 1790-7 ; 
other of the old people claim, however, that John Caes- 
ley and wife never returned to Gorham after their first 
coming into this town, which statement is probably true, 
as he was married in 1790, and there are no records of 
l)irths of his children in Gorham ; hence I think they 
came into town in the spring of 1793, and became i)er- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 11 

maneiit residents here. Other Gorham families followed 
soon after, aud families from Bridgtou, and Minot, set- 
tled ui town quite early. 

The town was surveyed and "lotted" by Benjamin 
Kimball, Jr., of Bridgton, (that part which was then in 
Bridgt-on) in 1793. There were fourteen lots granted to 
the early settlers, located on the easterly side of Long 
Pond, called '■'■merited lots,'''' in June, 1782 ; but these were 
not run out until 1793, when all that part of Bridgton 
lying north and east of Long Pond, was laid out by Mr. 
Kimball into ninety lots, of about ninety acres each, (old 
survey) and was called the ''Second Di\asion." Four of 
the poorest of these lots were set aside as blank lots ; and 
of the remaining eighty-six, one was drawn to the holder 
of each of the eighty-six different rights. For perform- 
ing this service, Mr. Kimball received fifty acres of land, 
which he selected at the outlet of Anonymous Pond — 
where the village is now situated. 

That part of Harrison that was taken from Otisfield, 
was surveyed and "lotted" by George Peircb, Esq., 
the Proprietors' Agent for the latter town, and a large 
part of the territory was then owned by that gentleman. 
The road that leads from the village to the south part of 
the town, by the Methodist Meeting House, is on the o- 
riginal line between Bridgton and Otisfield. Many of the 
old deeds show that the Perley family were heavy 
owners in that part of the town, which was taken from 
Bridgtou. The first settlers in the south part of the town 
were Capt. Benjamin Foster, and Maj. Jacob Emer- 
son. The first town meeting was held at the house of 



Note. — One Mutfat commenced a clearing near 'Harmon's Corner very 
early; he had a house near the brook, andljiiried a child there. 



12 HARRISON, MAIKE. 

Xephtali Harmon, at "Harmon's Corners," near where 
tlie "Old Baptist Meeting' House" stands ; and near where 
said meeting was hehl — on the opposite side of the road — 
the Jirst town-house was built. [Mr. Hannon then lived 
at the road corner, on the side toward Capt. Charles 
Walker's.] At the first meeting- it was voted to hold 
futiu-e to^A^l meetings at the house of Xephtali Har- 
mon, till a more convenient place be appointed. Joel. 
SiJOiONS was Moderator ; Samuel Willard was chosen 
Clerk; Samuel Willard, Benjajvhn Foster and 
Stephen Stlles, were the first Selectmen ; I^athaniel 
BuRNHAM was made Treasurer, and Samuel Scrlbner^ 
Constable; SniEON Caswell, Edward Lowell, Eben- 
EZER Carsley, Xathan Carslet, and Rice Rowell, 
were chosen Highway Siu'veyors ; and John Woodsum 
Surveyor of Lumber ; Levi Perry, Daniel Stone, and 
Peter Gilson, were Fence Viewers ; J a:\ies Sa:vipson, 
Edward Lowell, and Benjajvhn Foster, were Ti th- 
ing-men ; Joel Sevoions, Jeremiah Turner, and Moses 
Chick, were Hog-reves; oSTephtali Harmon, Pound- 
keeper ; CusHiNG Daws, Stephens Ingalls, and Ed- 
ward Lo^T^LL, Field-drivers. The foregoing proves that 
those parties were in town as early as 1805 ; many were 
settled here before. 

Schools. The first summer schools were taught in 
barns, and the winter schools in private houses. Although 
schools were instituted in town early, the branches 
taught were few ; some of the children learned to write 
on birch bark. In 1806, the town was divided into six 
school districts ; and a few years later, it was voted in 
town meeting that "every school district shall build their 
own school house." The Jirst school house in town, was 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 13 

on the "Scribner Hill," on the right hand side of tlieroad 
that leads from ''Harmon's Corners'' to said hill. The 
second school honse was bnilt near Jacob Emerson's, 
and called the "Emerson School Honse." Soon after the 
preceding-, the "Springer School Honse" was bnilt near 
where Heber Kemball now lives ; after this the village 
folks, and those in the interior of the town, nnited and 
bnilt the "Ponnd School Honse." The first six districts 
were divided and snb-di^dded as the population increased, 
nntil all were well accommodated, although the towni 
raised but one hundred dollars a year, nntil 1814, for the 
support of schools. 

Churches. The first religions meetings were held in 
barns, school houses, the town honse, and in dwelling 
houses. The first preacher in town was Elder Nicho- 
las Bray. Elder Cle^ment Phinney was the first E. 
W. Baptist preacher. Elder Samuel Lewis was an 
early preacher here. The Congregational Church was 
organized at the house of Oliver Peirge, in 1820 ; it 
consisted of eleven members. Eev. Joseph Searle was 
the first installed Pastor. The Calvin Baptist Church 
was organized at the honse of Samlt<:l Scribner, on 
"Scribner's Hill" in 1827, *(?) and its first regular preacher 
was Elder Jacob Bray, father of the present Elder 
Jacob Bray, of Bridgton. The F. W. Baptist Church 
was organized at the house of Shepherd Hawk, (where 
Newell Trafton now lives) in 1820. The first Meeting- 
house (now called the "Old Baptist Meeting Honse") was 
built at "Harmon's Corners" by the Baptists and Congre- 
gationalists, in 1827. The F. W. Baptist Meeting House, 

*William Harmon was Chosen Deacon of the Baptist Church in 1827 ; hence, 
I suppose, the Church was organized at that date. 



14 HAEKISO^^, MAINE. 

ill the interior of the town, aiid the Coiigregationalist 
House at the ^^lblg•e, were built in 183C. Tlie Methodist 
Church was organized, and tlieir house of worship built, 
some years subsequently. The Christian Meeting House, 
in the south part of the town, was erected in 1870. 

Merchants. The first store was kept by Captain 
Foster, at the south part of the town ; it was situated on 
the right hand side of the road leading toward Edes' 
Falls, a few rods below the Benjamin Foster house. 
This store was the j)lace where many great stories were 
told, and where much ardent spirit was imbibed. The 
residents in the north and central parts of the town, went 
to l^orth Bridgton, and traded with "Old Merchant An- 
drews." Joel, Whitmore was the first trader at the vil- 
lage ; he was a brother of Mrs. Ja^ies Chadbourne. 
]\Ir. Wliitmore kept goods in a small wooden building 
between the old brick store where Carter traded, and the 
Blake store. Levi Burnham and Oliver Peirce were 
also traders in town quite early. Isaac Bolster built 
and kept the first store at "Bolster's Mills," and George 
Peirce, the second. 

Manufacturers and ]\Iills. The first manufacto- 
ries were carried forward on a small scale. James Sa^ip- 
SON built the first mills at the \illage — a saw-mill and 
grist-mill. Samuel Tyler carried on wool-carding and 
cloth -dressing where Xe"\\"ELL Caswell's mill now stands; 
he and vSampson were the only residents at the village, 
"Flat," at that time. Old Mr. Edson carried on the man- 
ufacture of wnmght nails somewhere on the "Xeal Hill," 
above the village ; he sold nails to "Merchant Andrews" 
of North Bridgton. Colman Watson carried on coop- 
ering ill the \ illage, (juite early. The Gilsons owned a 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 15 

mill ou Crooked River, below "Bolster's Mills," at an early 
day ; the Bolsters bought out the GiLsous aud built uiiils 
above, in 1819 and 1820. Seth Caesley had mills at 
Harrison village, subsequent to Sampson, and manu- 
factured hat-blocks and wooden plows. David Morse 
built a small shingle mill on the outlet of Anonymous 
Pond, which he sold to Luther Carman, who changed it 
to a machine shop and manufactured power looms and 
general machinery ; this was in ISIO. He sold out to T. 
H. EiCKER in 1848. Mr. Richer manufactured shingle 
machines, horse powers, aud plows, until 1859, when he 
and his son Sherburn — who became a member of the hrm 
in 1855 — commenced the manufacture of wood-working 
machinery. They were burned out in 1859, but immedi- 
ately rebuilt, and have continued to extend their business 
until the present time — a business amounting to about 
eight thousand dollars a year. Their machinery goes to 
all parts of the United States, and British Dominions. 
The firm now consists of the father and two sons. 

Greenfield Blake aud Ichabod Washburn, com- 
menced the manufacture of wire here (in the village) as 
early as 1831, and that business has been carried on by 
different parties ever since ; and is now owned by Tol- 
MAN, Caswell and Walker, who have a large factory, 
!ind in prosperous times drive an extensive business. 

Transportation. A line of canal-boats commenced 
running between Harrison village and Portland in 1828, 
and continued until the Ogdensburg Rail Road, touched 
the foot of Sebago Lake. As the head of the canal route 
was at Harrison, large store-houses were built at the vil- 
lage, in which the supplies for many back towns were 
stored until the heavy teams, which brought in manu- 



16 HARRISO^^, MAINE. 

factured lumber, wood and produce, could take them to 
their destination ; in consequence of these circumstances 
the village became quite a business mart, and presented 
a lively appearance. A large tavern was built to accom- 
modate the teamsters and travelling i)ublic ; and around 
its ample fire, many joyous and hilarious meetings wew 
held by the story-tellers. 

A steamboat named the ^^Faivn''^ was built by a stock 
company, and run down the chain of lakes to the "carry- 
ing-place" at Staudish Xeck, many years ago, but it 
was not properly constructed, and was taken oft' after a 
few years ; it was commanded by Capt. Christopher C. 
W. Sampson. There was no other steam navigation over 
these lakes until one Simonds commenced running a 
beautifnl little steaudioat named the " Oriental ;" this 
proved a success, but was burned at the village. Mean- 
while the " Sebago Lake Steamboaf Conq)any," was in- 
corporated, and two fine boats, the "/S'e?>^//yo," and '■'■Mo\mt 
Pleasant,''^ were launched upon the waters of the lakes ; 
these boats sup])lanted the canal boat transportation, and 
have carried a great amount of freigiit over their route. 
They are owned and run by Mr. Charles Gibbs of Bridg- 
ton, a gentleman Of great enterprise and public spirit. 
As the steamboats run only in summer, a great amount of 
freight is taken from South Paris station, on the Grand* 
Truidv Rail Road, by teams, ui muter. But the Avhite 
sails of the canal boat may still be seen, like the wings 
of some mighty bird, spread out u])on the waters of the 
Lakes ; they are now run to the foot of Sebago Lake, with 
wood and manufactured hnnber, and return with heavy 
freight. 

biPiJoVKMK.NTS The Jhinisoii ol' today, itresciit.'-- a 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 17 

very different appearance from that indicated in the open- 
ing of this sketch. The strong arms of the pioneers, 
moved by a determined will, have plied the strokes of the 
axe, until the primeval forest has given place to broad 
fertile farms; the rude, primitive dwellings have been 
taken down, and beautiful modern residences, stately, 
graceful, and ornamental, have taken their places ; the 
old-fashioned school houses have been abandoned — those 
I)laces where so many of our aged towns-people were 
deeply impressed^ both with book and hircli — and new and 
commodious ones erected ; the old town house — over the 
dismantling of which there was a severe contention — has 
been taken down, and a large and respectable one built at 
the village ; the old church-houses have been closed, and 
others of modern architecture and convenience are now 
raising their graceful spires among the elms and maples 
that grow around them ; population has gathered about 
the centers of trade ; the villages have risen from little 
hamlets, to manulacturing places of considerable import- 
ance ; the blessings of education have been multiplied ; 
new resources discovered, and all branches of industry 
carried forward, until the town has become one of the 
most enterprising, prosperous, and beautiful in Cumber- 
land County. For its romantic scenery and picturesque 
views it can hardly be excelled. Like Zion of old, Har- 
rison is " beautiful for situation ;" there is no monotony 
or tiresome sameness ; there are the rugged, towering hills, 
with their rock-ribbed and tree-covered sides ; and, nest- 
ling at their feet, the silver-surfaced lakelets which reflect 
like a polished mirror, in their miniature bays, the forest- 
shaded headlands and the bordering pastures ; there run 
the purling brooks, in serpentine course, like a thread of 



18 HARRISOK, MAINE. 

.silver woven into the landscape's green fabric by the 
creative fingers, which all day long glisten in the sun- 
light, and sing through their i^ebbled harps to the traveler 
Avho, with rod and line wanders along their banks, to take 
the speckled trout that finds his home in their tree-shaded 
coves ; here are the larger bodies of water which have 
now changed their old names from that of ponds to the 
more popular one of lalies; upon their bosoms plow the 
noble steamboats, while their shrill and business-toned 
whij-itles echo and re-echo among the hills and valleys 
along the shores. Instead of gathering at the store and 
village green, to engage in neighborhood gossip, as on even 
ings of the j^ast, the villagers now crowd around the 
wharves to gaze upon the new arrivals — the city folk 
who during the hot weather flock to our cool hillsides for 
rest and recreation. Everything wears a neat and enter- 
prising appearance. The farmers have opened their com- 
fortable homes to their city neighbors, and find pleasure 
as well as profit in entertaining those who have been 
more closely associated with the great busy outside world. 
Since the beauties of the scenery, and the new facilities 
for travel have become known, Harrison has grown to be 
a very popular resort for the weary, more especially since 
the remarkable " Summit Spring " was discovered ; the 
water of this spring possesses the most valuable medici- 
nal properties, and is healing hundreds; this water is 
now sold in all parts of the country. While the lakes 
that intersperse the landscape afford pleasure to the city 
boarders when rowing or sailing over them, the smoothly 
graded and forest-arched carriage roads in\nte the drive. 
No more invigorating aii', no more healthy situation can 
be found in New England, than is found here ; and the 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 19 

moral character of the inhabitauts is a subject of remark. 
Industrious, enteri^risiug, and temperate — the town is not 
cursed with a drinking shop — the people recognize all 
those kindly obligations of neighbors, and the courtesies 
and conveutionaUties which are pleasant to strangers. 
Peace and prosperity are general. Those iu professional 
life have been successful ; the mechanic and artisan 
grow in independence, and the farmers are constantly im- 
proving iu wealth and culture, — and we shall attribute 
this prosperity to the character of those families who first 
Ijermanently settled here. They had good bodies and 
good brains ; they had strong wills and strong arms ; 
they had enterprise and executive ability ; they possessed 
coiu-age and self reliance — all kept fresh by a blood in- 
herited from a noble ancestry ; and they lived, many of 
them, to see what they found a wilderness, become a blos- 
soming garden. Xoble and loyal-hearted were the fath- 
ers and mothers, and their posterity do honor their par- 
entage and emulate their examples. 

The number of inhabitants ia Harrison, in 1870, was 1-219. Valuation iu 1S70, 
Polls, 307; Estates, $304,63.5. 

"The Harrison Farmer's Club" was organized manv years ago, and has held 
regular and successful town fiiirs ; it has proved a source of profit and improve- 
ment to farmers and manufacturers. President, John Dawes, Esq. ; Secretary, 
Alplionso Morton. 

"The Harrison Insurance Association," (insurance against Are) has been long 
sustained in town, and is a most excellent organization. , 

A Stock Company erected a Woolen Mill in town, some years ago, but it was 
burnt down after running a few years. 

Lawyers that have pra<'ticed"in town were— Washburn, Thomas, Eastman, 
Blake, Strout, Chaplin and BuUard. 

Phtsicians that have practiced in town were — Carter, Conant, Rodgers, 
Duunells, Weston, Kimball, Dunn, Pease and Cole. 



OUE PIONEER FAMILIES. 



Among our grand and towering tree-crowned hills, 
Whose feet are daily washed by cool refreshing rills; 
Among the granite rocks, through forests deep and strong. 
Around the silvery lakes, roaming their shores along; 
Came pioneer adventurers of pure Old Colony stock, 
As staunch as ever stood on Plymouth's landing-rock. 
Strong arms, and noble aims, these hardy men possessed; 
They were well born for men, not for dolls to be caressed. 
'Twas homes they sought, and lands on which to live. 
For independence and honesty, where love could thrive. 
They sought it, found It, bought it with their hands — 
And kept it by temperance and industry's iron bands. 
The stately pine, the hemlock, elms and sturdy oaks. 
Like mast, fell fast before the woodman's giant strokes. 
Then sunshine and rain, upon the dormant soil came down, 
To wake the sleeping earth, and warm the virgin ground. 
Broadcast the seed was sown, and fields of golden grain 
Soon waved o'er hills, and gilded open plain. 
Around their log-house hearth, the children gathered fast 
To bless the home, and share the table's plain repast; 
To rise to man and woman's dignified estate; 
To nobler deeds of good ; their town to populate. 
Thou, sons and daughters of our grand old town, 
Your place was nobly won, your honor and renown. 
To country loyal, and to your birthright ever true; 
For stations high, and ranks of eminence you greu — 



OUR PIONEER FAMILIES. 21 

Grew tall of body, strong of -intellect and heart, 

In sympathy, in charity, in love to act your part. 

An honest life was yours; you ever hated sloth; 

You always gave good measure, and wove '■^full-cloth ;'^ 

You breathed pure air, and never feared the cramp, 

While you drank milk-porridge and ate corn-samp. 

Your names, not all poetic, were signiticuut of good, 

And when orderly connected, make a lively brood. 

The Abbotts and Ch^iphnx are not our churchmen now; 

Some practice at the Bar, others practice with the plow. 

The Stanleys were a witty set in politics and law, 

"Jack" Johnson was the joker, and "Zeb" could u.se hisjV<(.-. 

"Gee" HarmoiLs a " UntKersaller," and "Sam" could tal/c by rule, 

"Uncle Bill" drove the ox-te<im and Walter drove the mult. 

While the Bennetts, and Phinneys, and Ilarj/ions were singers. 

Their neighbors were Walkem and Jumpers and Sunngers. 

The Sdm'fsons, rightly named, were very strong and straight, 

Especiall}' "Uncle Hira" he did — he did, never come to late. 

The wise Stewarts, selected the Hall girls for their wives, 

And vowed a faithful Stewart ship the rest of their lives. 

In the north were many Stiles' upheld by the Brackeltx, 

And the Haskells and Caswells made a wedding racket. 

Notes. The surnames Abbott and Chaplin were derived from oflScers in the 
Church ; some are lawyers and others farmers, now. 

The Stanleys were very sareastie and quirk for an answer. 

John Johnson, called Jack, was very cunning and a great wag in his day; his 
brother Zebulon was apt to s<-old. 

Gee Harmon was once urged to become a Christian, and in his stammering 
way replied, "Im a-a Universal-e-r;" his brother Samuel was a great story-teller 
and could paint his descriptions in high colors, too high for truth. 

William Harmon was one of the be^t teamsters knoVu; he drove an ox-team 
in the lumber swamps many years; his brother Walter was a great horseman, 
and once owned some mules. 

Mr. Bennett was a music-teacher, and once competed witli Clement Phinney 
in a trial of voice; the Hannons used to sing in the old Baptist Choir. 

There were families of Walkers, Jumpers and Springers, living near each 
other, between the village and "Harmon's Corners." 

The Sampsons walk very erect are very muscular and prompt-spoken. Un- 
cle Ahira had a habit of repeating the last w<irds in a sentence when talkins. 

Several daugliters of Isaac Hall married with the Stewart brothers, of Gor- 
ham, and settled in town ; the surname Stewart— or Stuart as some spell itr— was 
derived irum the otflce of High Stewart, in Scotland. 

A family of Stiles' settled early in the north part of the town, in the Brackett 
neighborhood. 

The Haskell and Caswell families have frequently intermarried. 



22 HAEEISOX, MAINE. 

"Ben" Chtidbourne used the trowel, the ^^Squire" was the tailor, 
Vol. Watson was a cooper, and Old Ednon was a nailer; 
The Peirces were Senators, laud-surveyors and esquires, 
While the family of Dmcett' were land and lumber buyers. 
Mr. Cummings, on the hill, drove his awl to his last, 
And waxed bristles to the end to keep his nole fast. 
The Bohters (not for beds) and Gilsoms built the mills, 
And carried on farming on the brow of "Gilson's Hill." 
Some CurdeyH were inventors, and others learned U> hew; 
The Kneclands and Kilborns were never very few. 
Some Biirnhams caught the rogues, and others roguish grew, 
While the Fosters and the Einersons were ever in a stew. 
Some old Withams were like giants, corpulent and strong, 
Bat the Whitneyx were the toughest, their bodies lean and long. 
With the Howardu to hew Stonex, while Burnham made a hat, 
Sam Tt/lf-r, the wool-carder, run his business at the "Flat." 
While Strickland made bricks, "Marm BucknelV would switch 
The urchins in her school room, on the "Scribner Hill;" 

Benjamin Chadboume, a distant relative of James Chadboume, Esq., was a 
mason; .Tames a tailor, as was also liis father in (lOrham. 

Cohiian Watson carried on cdoiicrimr at the villa;are, early; while Mr. Edson, 
said to lui\ e learneil liis trade in i)ris<in, made nails by hand, on the Neal hiU. 

Oliver I'eirce was .Justice of the I'eai'e, anil in the Legislature, as was also 
George, and they were surveyors for tliree generations. 

The Dawes family have owned much timi)er hind. 

Mr. Cummings was probably theyi/w/! shoemaker in town. 

Isaac Bolster bought out the Gilson's mill property, and built largely where 
Bolster's Mills village now stands; both families have lived ou the well known 
"Gilson's Hill." 

Seth Carsley invented a machine to make lasts and hat-blocks, and went to 
Washington in a gig with his model and secured his patent. 

The Kneeland and Cummings fandlies came from Topsfleld, Mass., and set- 
tled near each otlicr; the Knct'land> and Killiorns were numerous. 

Sumner llurnbam was Shciilf and State Detective. 

There \;tre jiolitical fends l)etween the foster and Kmerson families, as also 
between Cai)t. Foster and Major Kmerson during their military career. George 
Kmerson o\vne(l a powerful lilack horse and when returning from town meet- 
ing drove liv the Fosters, and when passing a neighbor, said, "I'll let tlie Fosters 
know they must go behind while I keep old black." 

.Several'of the Withani family were very corpulent; some weighed about three 
hundred jiounds. 

The Wliitiieys are nearly all verj' tall and hardy men. 

Several Howards were stone-masons. Daniel Stone was early in town. One 
Burnham was a hatter at the village. 

Samuel Tyler carried on wool-carding and cloth-dressing near where Newell 
Caswell's mill now stands; the village has always been known as "Harrison 
Flat." 

Tohn Strickland made brick at, or near, the place where the village now 
staudd; a MissBucknell kept one of the lirst schools on Seribner's hill. 



OUR PIOXEER FA]\IILIES. 23 

If Woodsum built a barn, Old Xtal could dig a ditch, 
And "Jim" play Oamrnon on the road to Bolster's Mill. 
The Perkys had their say, on each election-day; 
And the Plaitteds had tJieir Foggs as well as showers; 
While Elders Pitts and Bray, taught others how to pray. 
The Willards intermarried with the Powers. 
With Traftons for drovers, and Bisbees for rovers. 
And the Scribne^s once scribes, to serve Constables here. 
With Simmons Moderator, and Ingalls a field-driver, 
Perry, Turner, Chick and Loicell close the rear. 

•John Woodsum worked as framer and builder; Old Mr. Neal, an Irishman, 
was a ditcher by tratle. 

.James Xeal used to stop and see the Gammon girls when carrving corn to Bol- 
ster's Mills. Gammon lived nil (tilsdu's hill. 

The Perleys have been radical and noisy politicians. 

The Plaisteds and Foggs were neighbors and intermamed. 

The Powers familv came from Sanl'ord, and were related to the Harmons. 

Solomon Pitts and .Jacob Bray were early Baptist Ministers. 

T)ie Traftons have l)ecome we'aJthy, dealing in live stock ; the Bisbees have 
been a moving family. 

The surname Scribner, was derived from scrioenor, to write. Samuel Scribner 
was first Constable in to«Ti. 

•Joel Simmons was Moderator of the first town meeting, and Stephens Ingalls 
chosen field-driver. 

Levi Perry, Jeremiah Turner, Moses Chick and Edward Lowell, were chosen 
to fill ofllces at the first town meeting held in town— 1805. 



ABBOTT FAMILY. 

Hiram Abbott, son of Tbeophilus, of Xewfield, York 
County, came here about 1820, and settled in the "John- 
son Neighborhood," where Abijah Lewis subsequently 
lived, and where John Laldu now lives. He married 
Betsey Hazeltiue, and had issue as follows, all born in 
this town — Mr. Abbott moved into the northerly end of 
the town, and settled near where his son Samuel now 
lives, in later years, and died April 27, 1843, aged 51 
years and G months. His widow is still living with her 
daughter in Waterford : 

1. Oliver, born April 29, 1821 ; married Xaucy Edson, 

Nov. 20, 1843, and died Jan. 18, 184G. 

2. Sa^iuel, born Aug. 10, 1823 ; married Eliza, daughter 

of Joshua Howard, Dec. 13, 1848, and settled where 
he now lives, at the head of "Anouaymous Pond." 
Mr. Abbott is a successful farmer, and has been a 
hard worker. He is a kind neighbor, and respected 
citizen. His amiable wife died in 1875. No chil- 
dren. 

3. Mercy, born Feb. 17, 1826 ; married Joseph Kilgore 

of Waterford, and is now living in that town. 

4. Zebulox J., born Aug. 17, 1820 ; married Caroline 

Anderson, and settled on "Temple Hill," in Water- 
ford. Mr. Abbott is a good farmer ; has two chil- 
dren. 

5. Charles, born Sept. 30, 1831; married Sarah J., 

daughter of Ephraim Cook of Harrison, and set- 
tled on a farm in Watei'ford. He has since moved 
to a farm near his brother Sanniel's, in this town. 
His children were four in number. 

0. Betsey, born Dec. 13, 1833 ; married Kimball Kil- 
gore, (brother of Joseph) and hves in Waterford, 
Maine. 

7. Eliza J., l)orn Dec. 7, 1835 ; married Davis, 

of Lewiston, Maine, and resides in that city. 



BISBEE— BENXETT FAMILIES. 25 

BISBEE FAMILY. 

They are descended from Thomas Besbedge, (Bisbee) 
of Scitiiate, Mass., through UHsha, John, Elisha, John, 
and Ebenezer Bisbee, who settled in Harrison. The 
family were connected with the Edsons by marriage. 
Ebenezer married in Maine. He was born in 1782. This 
family are said to have moved to Aroostook County, 
many years ago; they lived where Albert Burnliam now 
resides, on ''Burnham's Hill" Harrison. Children as fol- 
lows : 

1. HuLDAH S., born Sept. 12, 1804. 

2. Edmond W., born April 5, 1800 ; died May 22, 1827. 

3. Louisa, born April 8, 1808. 

4. Irene, born May 4, 1809. 

5. Ebenezer, Jr., born Feb. 21, 1811. 

6. Ira, born Feb. 9, 1813. 

7. Martha, born Nov. 14, 1814. 

8. William, born Nov. 2, 1816. 

9. John, born Nov. 5, 1818. 

10. Solomon B., born March 30, 1820. 

11. Abigail B., born April 30, 1822. 

12. Hannah S., born Sept. 20, 1825. 
The mothei''s name was Eunice. 

Many of this family, from the first ancestors, were 
blacksmiths. Several branches settled in Maine. A gen- 
ealogy of . the family has been published by I3r. Wm. B. 
Lapham, of Augusta, Maine. 



BENNETT FAMILY. 

They were here quite early, in the settlement of the 
town. Stanton Bennett came from "Coos," N. H., and 
settled near where the F. AV. Baptist Meeting House now 
stands, about where Stephen Nason lived in 1870. He 
was a great singer, and once competed with Elder Clem- 
ent Phinney with his vocal powers. His children, born 
here, were as follows : 



26 HAEEISOX, MAIXE. 

1. Sylvia Anin", bom May 9^ 1813 ; died young. 

2. Betsey, boru April 15, 1815 j married Jonathan 

Brackett, Sept. 14, 1813. 

3. Mari^-llla, born Feb. 2, 1818. 
1. Jane, born Oct. 11, 1819. 

5. Caeolixe E., boru June 14, 1821. 
(). Sylvia, bom Dec. 14, 1825 ; married James RouudSy 
of Poland, Jime 6, 1847. 



BOLSTEK FAMILY. 

Isaac Bolster, son of Isaac, was born in Paris, Maiucy 
May 22, 17r)9 ; married ]Marcli 9, 1794, Hannah Cushmau, 
of Hebron (she was born April 10, 1777, and died Jau. 
25, 1865,) and settled in his native town. He died Jan. 
8, 1835. Mr. Bolster, fi-om whom the present -sillage of 
'^Bolster's 3Iills" took its name, purchased property of 
the Gilsons on Crooked Eiver. and built a dam and saw- 
niil] in 1819, and a grist-mill in 1820. The business was 
carried on mainly by his sons. His son William (of whom 
more hereafter) built the " fulling-miir'' in 1820. The 
father was never a resident of Harrison. Children as 
follows : 

1. Alvin Bolster, son of Isaac, was born in Paris, 

Dec. 7, 1795 ; married C^^lthia Wheeler, of liimi- 
ford, and died in that to\^^l Dec. 8, 1862: 

2. Isaac Bolster, Jr., was bor,n in Paris, Feb. 22, 

1797 ; married Polly Cushman, of Buckficld, and 
settled in Harrison, in 1821. He died in Xorway^ 
:March 9, 1863. He built the first store at Bolster's 
Mills village, and resided in town fifteen years. 
His children were born in Harrison ; tliey were as 
follows : 
i, Elenor E., b. April 23, 1820; m. to James Ben- 
nett, of Norway, and lives there now. 

ii. John A., b. June 28, 1822 ; m. Adams, of 

Andover, and resides in Xorway. He has been 
largely engaged in the live stock trade ; has 



BOLSTEE FAMILY. 



been in the State Leiiislatni-e ; is a man of 
(jonsidei'able pnblic spirit, and interests him- 
self in matters of i)onty. 
iii. Cynthia J., b. March 15, 1825 ; m. to Grover 

Crockett, of Xor^Yay, and lives there, 
iv. Oliver F., b. Sept. G, 1828 ; resides in Massa- 
chnsetts. 

V. Mary D., b. Jnly 29, 1832 ; in. Severence, 

of Minot. 
vi. Georgia E., b. Oct. 12, 1835 ; m. Thomas Plnm- 

mer, of TVaterford ; is dead. 
Gideon Bolster, son of Isaac, was born in Paris, 
April 28, 1799 ; married Charlotte Hall, of Paris, 
and died there Oct. 20, 1873. 
Otis C. Bolster, son of Isaac, born in Paris, Sept. 
25, 1801 ; married, 1st, Dolly Kire, of Riimtord, 
and 2ndlv, Maria Virgin, of the latter town ; he 
died Xov. 20, 1871. 
William Bolster, son of Isaac, born in Paris, Jnne 
23, 1801 ; married, 1st, Hannah Tnrner, of Otis- 
field, an<l 2ndly, Xancy J. Edwards, of the latter 
town. Mr. Bolster came to Harrisan in 182(), and 
commenced the milling: bnsiness with his brother 
Isaac, bnilding" a mill for fnllingand dressing cloth 
the same year. He is now living on "Gilson's Hill," 
about one mile from "Bolster's Mills," and carries 
on a large farm. His children were as follows : 
i. Martha L., b. Feb. 18, 1835; m. Gilbert S. 
Pearsons, of Windsor, Yermont, and is now 
li\4ng at Denver, Colorado, 
ii. Hannah E., b. Jan. 17, 1811; d. July 18, 1809. 
iii. Albert W., b. July 22, 1817 ; m. Jennie X. 

Emery, and lives on the homestead. 
Hannah Bolster, daughter of Isaac, born in Paris, 
June 23, 1807 ; married to Dr. Thomas Gore, of 
Minot, and died in Litchfield, Feb. 12, 1870. 



KOTE.— Dea. Isaac Bolster, son of Gideon, lives in Eastern, Aroostook 
County, Maine. An excellent man. 



28 HAEEISON, MAINE. 

7. Lyman Bolster, son of Iwaac, born in Paris, March 

29, 1809 ; married Betsey Knight, of Rumford, and 
resides at Bryant's Pond, Woodstock. 

8. Louisa Bolster, daugliter of Isaac, born in Paris, 

April 28, 1812 ; married Angnstus King, of said 
town, and died May 17, 1834. 

9. Levi Bolster, son of Isaac, born in Paris, Nov. 10, 

1819 ; married Marcia Warien, of Waterbury, Con- 
iiecticnt, where they now reside. 

10. EuTH J. Bolster, danghter of Isaac, bom Jan. 1, 

1821 ; married to Alexander Cnshmau, of Bncktield. 



BEAT FAMILY. 

Bray is a Scottish surname, taken from Brae, and the 
family date their history to a remote period. Several 
junior branches spread into England and the United 
States. One of the associates of Sir William Pepperell, 
and Go\ ernor Wentworth, was Bray, an early ship-builder. 
Among the first settlers of this town came Nicholas 
Bray, who sometime lived at Cape Elizabeth, and subse- 
quently in the town of Minot. He probably came here 
aboiit the same time as the Caswells, and was connected 
Anth that family by intermarriage. Eelatives are still 
living in Poland. Mr. Bray, now under notice, was in 
the war of the Revolution for seven years, and endured 
great sutfering from exposure and engagements. He 
opened a clearing on the ridge, one or two lots above the 
first settler, viz : John Carsley's. In 1800 he owned Lot 
No. 8, in Range 2, then m Otisfiehl, which comprised 
what has since been known as the "Old Bray Farm, " the 
l)la(-e since owned by William Hill, where a few years 
ago tlie buildings were burned by lightning. Mr. Bray 
was born in March, 1752, died February 5, 1843, and was 
buried in tlie F. W. Baptist Cemetery, near his home. He 
had married twice and had issue as follows : 
1. Solomon Bray, son of Nicliolas, was born in Minot 
about the year 1774 5 came to this town with his 



BRAY FAxMILY. 29 



lather, as early as 1800, and in that year paid taxes 
on Lot Ko. 9, in Kange 3. He lived where ISIewell 
Tral'ton now resides, and reared a large family, but 
afterwards moved to Monson, where lie aiul wile 
died quite aged. Mr. Bray married Alice Perrv, 
and by her had the following children : 
i. Susanna, b. Sept. 24, lim ; m. Otis Harmon 
June 12, 1820, and settled in Monson, Maine 

II. Freeman, b. May 20, 1801 ; m. Martilla Briggs, 

ot Minot ; moved to Monson and had issue 

III. Cyrus, b. May 30, 1802 ; m. Susan Aldin, of 

i\Iinot, moved to Monson und had issue— dead 

IV. Polly, b. ]\larch 0, 1804 ; m. Deacon Andrews, 

ot Monson, Me. 

V. Alice, b. Nov. 0, 1805 ; m. James Stinchfield, of 

Monson, Maine, 
vi. Jannet, b. April 8, 1807 ; m. Alexander Cush- 

man, of Monson, ]\Iaine. 
vii. Hannah, b. April KJ, 1809; m. Walter P. PTiir- 
mon, April 4, 1830, and died in 1875, in Har- 
rison, 
viii. Solomon C. C, b. Jan. 17, 1810; m. SybelGow- 

an, and 2ndly a widow . 

ix. PoxANNA, 1). Oct. 23, 1812; m. Dea. Benjamin 
Stinchfield, (brother of James) of Monson. 

X. Axil, b. Nov. 17, 1814; m. . 

xi. Samuel, b. March 1, 1817 ; in. . 

xii. Edward, b. in 1819 ; died unmarried. 

xiii. Julia A., b. in Monson ; m. Nelson Thomas, of 

said town, and settled there. 
Dea. Edward Bray, son of Nicholas, was born in 
Minot, July 6, 1792; married Susanna Ilobbs, 
daughter of Morrill Hobbs, Sr., and settled in this 
town, on the homestead with his father. He Mas 
111 the war of 1812. Mr. Brav early eml»race(l re- 
ligion and united with the F. W. Baptist Church 
in Harrison ; was chosen one of the first deacons' 
and associated with Dea. Carsley in that sacred 
office many years. Dea. Bray believed in spiritual 



30 HAREISOX, MAmE. 

worsLip, ami was accustomed to exliort after the 
sermon in Sabbath services ; at such times he 
woukl shout aloud for joy. When he was a child 
his mother was insane, and sometimes would carry 
him into the woods, near the house, and cover him 
up with leaves and brushwood, while she ^'isited 
neighbors, or returned to her home, and no one 
could persuade her to disclose his whereabouts un- 
til such time as she saw tit to go and bring him 
back. ]Mrs. Bray died March 28, 18(30 ; he died 
Sept. 21, 1805 ; they had issue as follows : 
i. Miriam, b. May 27, 1815 ; m. to Simeon Chad- 
bonrne, of Harrison — see Chadbourne family, 
ii. Charlotte H., b. May 2, 1817 ; m. William O. 

Hill, and died in town, 
iii. Susan, b. April 17, 1810; m. Samuel W. Chad- 
bourne, and died in town, 
iv. Ann, b. June 2, 1824 ; died Sept. 13, 1825. 
V. Sarah Ann, b. Aug. 2, 1827 ; died July 13, 1828. 
vi. Edward, Jr., b. Dec. 21, 1830 ; m. Abby Bart- 
lett, and had issue, of whom hereafter. Mr. 
Bray settled in this town, and is now situated 
at the tillage as a painter. His children are 
KeUie Grace, b. Aug. 20, 1801, and Flora Bell, 
b. June 14, 1804. 

3. Rev. Nicholas Bray, son of Nicholas, was born in 

Minot, in 1794, (?) married Abigail Bucknell, and 
lived in this toN\'n several years ; he subsequently 
went to Whitefield, X. H., "and labored as a Baptist 
mhiister. Issue, M<hses, Sephrona, Buth, Christiana, 
Lnc}i, Abigail, Driisilla, ^Sarah, Martha and ISfonuel. 

4. Polly Bray, daughter of Nicholas, married Obed 

:\Iann, of Wliitetield, N. H. 

5. Fidelia Bray, daughter of Nicholas, married Philip 

Caswell, of Harrison — see Caswell family. 
0. Anna Bray, daughter of Nicholas, married Evans 

Wilson, of Durand, Me., Sept. 9, 1819. 
7. Bray, daughter of Nicholas, married Asa 

Bradford, of Turner, ]\Ie. 



BURNHAM FAMILY. 31 



-Bray, daugliter of Xicliolas, married 



Whitney, of Phillips, Me. 



BURNHAM FAMILY. 

They are descended from an ancient English stock 
throngh Eeuben Burnham, who came from Bolton, 
Mass., to Bridgton, Me,, in 1774 ; he was killed by a fall- 
ing tree in 1775. Mr. Burnham had eight children, two 
of whom settled in this town, \az : 

1. Abraham Burnham, born in Bolton, Mass., in 1705 ; 

married Alice Scribner, of Waterboro', Me., arid 
settled on "Scribner's Hill," in this town, where he 
reared several children. He and wife (she prede- 
ceased him) were buried on his farm. Their chil- 
dren were Beuheu, Timothy, ami At, and some of 
their descendants are now living. Mr. Burnham 
died June 24, 1850, aged 85 years. 

2. Nathaniel Burnham, born in Bolton, Mass., Dec, 

22, 1709 ; married Nabby Scribner, (sister to the 
wife of Abraham) of Waterboro', Me., Jan. 24, 
1799, and settled on Lot 8, Range 5, in Harrison, 
the farm now owned by Frank Whitman, situated 
on the beautiful eminence known as "Scribner's 
Hill," latterly as "Burnham's Hill." Mr. Burn- 
ham was one of the first settlers in town, and 
some think his house was built (frame house) as 
early as Nathan Carsley's and James Watson's. 
He was many years Selectman, and loved to work 
so well, that when thirsty, he would rvn to the 
spring and back to his field again. His second 
wife was Nancy Marshal, of Alfred, Me., whom he 
married April 30, 1820. He died Oct. 12, 1837, and 
his wives, Nov. 20, 1819 and Nov. 12, 1800, respec- 



NOTE.— The ancestors of the Bray family came from Gloucester, Mass., to New 
Gloucester, Me., with the first settlers of that towu. One branch settleii in An- 
son, and a son lives in Skowhegau. 



32 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

tively. All ]>nrie<l on "Biirnliam's Hill." Cliildren : 
i. Bani, b. in Harrison, Nov. 12, 1799 ; married 
Eliza Haskell, (now living,) in 1820, and set- 
tled on "Bnrnhani's Hill." He afterwards emi- 
grated to Dwiglit, Ills., where lie died May 4, 
1871, having- had issne, seven children, as fol- 
lows : Jacoh H., b. Dec. 10, 1820 ; IJUzaheth H., 
b. Dec. 10, 1823; Uinily H., b. April 27, 1828; 
Octava 1)., b. March 20, 1834 ; Alvin P., b. May 
15, 1830 ; S. Marshall, b. Sept. 0, 1840 ; John, 
b. Oct. 10, 1842. 
ii. Eev. Levi, b. May 8, 1802; m. Deborah C, 
daughter of Capt. iSTephtali Harmon, June 3, 
1824, and settled in this town. Elder Burn- 
ham was once settled in Limington, as minis- 
ter, and was actively engaged in his profession 
for many years ; he lived for several years, lat- 
terly, with his son, on the "Willard Place," 
and died in the autumn of 1870 — his wife hav- 
ing predeceased him. May 30, 18G8 ; they had 
children, as follows : 

1. Sally H., b. June 8, 1825 ; m. Lorenzo D. Swan, 

of Woodstock, and d. Aug. 28, 1850. 

2. Mahala J. A., b. Jan. 8, 1829 ; m. John Thomp- 

son, of Hartford, July 4, 1844. 

3. Nephtali H., b. Oct.' 7, 1834; m. Harriet N. 

Stedman, March 3, 1857 ; settled in Harrison, 
and has issue, two children, Aiz-: Lincoln 21., 
b. Oct. 15, 1858, and Bertie 2L, b. July 3, 1803. 

4. Nathaniel L., b. May 9, 1839 ; d .July 1, 1852. 

5. Abbie M., b. March 22, 1845 ; m. Seth' M. Keen, 

Jan. 21, 1871. 
iii. Moses, b. March 21, 1804 ; m. Lucretia, daugh- 
ter of John Bucknell, April 17, 1828, and set- 
tled in this town, on "Bnrnhani's Hill." He 
had one son, and died Aug. 4, 1834; his widow 
married Rev. David Jewell, a Baptist preacher, 
who has died, and the widow now lives "«ith 
her danghter, Miss Lucia Jewell, at the village. 



BURNHAM FAMILY. 33 



The son, Alherf, married Melviiia McKeiiiiie, 
and resides on his father's Homestead.— Has 
issue. 

iv. John, b. March 23, 1807 ; m. Susan, daughter of 
Dea. Cliaries Walker, and settled in James- 
town, X. H.— noM^ at Busti— and has issue, 
several ehildi-en. 

, T. SmiNER, (Esq.) b. Xov. IG, 1805 ; m. Christiana, 
daughter of Ephraim Washburn, of Hebron, 
Me., and had nine children, of whom hereafter. 
Mr. Burnham resided many years at the home- 
stead of his father, but subsequently exchanged 
with Frank Whitman, and settled' on a large 
farm in Norway. Mr. Burnham was many 
years a Deputy Sherifl; and besides serving iii 
all the town ofQces, was a State Detective dur- 
ing the war of the Rebellion. He has had an 
active business life, and is now settled in Nor- 
way village, as Bank President, and in affluent 
circumstances. His weight is about 300 lbs. 
Children : M. Greenlea/] who married Chris- 
tiana Stedman, his cousin, and died leaving 
three children ; Fmnces, who married Williain 
Evans, of Portland; Otho IF., who married 
Mabel Bates, of Waterville, and practiced law 
in Portland— now dead ; Caroline^ who married 
Henry C. Robie, of Harrison; Sumner, Jr., 
who died young; Sumner W., Silas, Horace 
and Alice. 

vi. Nathaniel, b. Feb. 21, 1812; m. 1st, Mary 
Mustard, of Bowdoin, and by her had a son 
Joseph, who is now a wealthy tarmer in the 
West, and 2udly, Olive Sawyer, of Madison, 
Me. He was stage driver in Eastern Maine, 
for some years, but subsequently emigrated to 
D wight, Ills., where he died April 8, 1870, 
leaving a T\idow. 

vii. Abigail, b. July 7, 1818 ; m. Franklin Peirce, 
of Harrison. (See Peirce Family.) 



34 HARRISON, MAI:N^E. 

viii. Sarah Ann, b. April 12, 1S26 ; m. Rev. Silas 
Brackett, and now lives in Dwight, Ills. 

ix. William H., b. Feb. 20, 1827 ; m. Mary Max- 
well, of Scottish descent, and 2ndly, Annie 
i — , by whom children. 



BRACKETT FAMILY. 

The Bracketts came from Westbrook, Me. For an ac- 
count of the ancestors, see ''Willis' History of Portland.'^ 
Capt. John Brackett, a soldier of the Revolntion, set- 
tled in this town abont the year 1810. He located a little 
below the '' Brackett School House," on the " Brackett 
Road." His wife was Mollv Walker, of Westbrook, sis- 
ter of Dea. Walker's father; she died Sept. 18, 1813; he 
died Feb. 22, 1814, aged 80. They had children as fol- 
lows : 

]. Walker Brackett, born in Westbrook, in 170(5; 
married ( Jorlista Wight, of Raymond ; settled in 
tlie " Brackett neighborhood," and had issue. He 
died in 1871 ; his widow died in 1875, aged 70 years; 
their children weie as follows : 
i. Silas C, b. ]Slov. 11, 1818; m. Sarah A., daugh- 
ter of Nathaniel Ijurnham, of Harrison, and 
is a Methodist preacher, now lining in the West. 
Childien as follows : Fredericl; FraulUn P., 
Alpheu^ L., Henry C, Feel B., Virgil, Velzora, 
Jo.sephow, Lorina, Ahhie, Corli.sta, Gilbert 71/., 
(Did ot iters. 



Note. — Capt. John Brackett was a man of learning and position; he was a 
hind surveyor by profession, and laid nut a ixrvnt part of the city of Portland. 
He, at one time, owned one-half mile sc|vi;iic nf land in what is luiw tlic heart of 
tlie city, which was sold in about isod, for .■?:)()(). Capt. Brnckctt had a son John 
who owned a farm in Scarboro'; a dau;_''htiT t/fuy, who niarricil Elea/.er Bur- 
hank; Z/(/cy married Asacl FnsUM', and aiHithcrdauulitiT wliDsc name does not 
ai)i)('ar. married Simon (^iiimliy. (apt. Brarkett was a Uevolutionary soldier, 
and sickened in tlie army. Query : -How was this family connected with the 
Westl)i-(ii>k stocky There are several families in Otislield" and Naples; also in 
Limerick and I,iniinj;toii. Query : — What connection was the above named Asael 
Foster to Asael Foster who came from Danvers, Mass., to Bridjjrton, Me, in 1772, 
and had sons, Joseph, Asael, Benjamin, Francii: and Moody'i 



beace:ett family. 35 

ii. Polly W., b. Aug. 16, 1820 ; m. Seth Pike, of 
Xorway, May 23, 1811. 

iii. Nancy C, b. Xov. 19, 1822 : m. Alfred :N"oYes, 
]^ov. 7, 1811. "^ ' 

iv. Walker, Jr., b. Nov. 21, 1821 ; m. Eliza Leacli, 
of Caseo ; 2u(lly, Jennie Hackett, of Salem, 
Me., and 3rdly, a widow Dresser.(!) His chil- 
dren were as follows, viz : Ella and one that 
died. 

V. BoxANA, b. ; d. aged 16 years. 

vi. Harriet W., b. ; m. Tristrnm Noyes, Nov. 

8, 1819 ; lives in town. 

\ii. Elbridge, b. ; m. Mary Hunt, of Avon, 

Me., and went to Minnesota in 1876. 

x\\\. Betsey, b. ; m. Oneal B. Mills, of Bethel ; 

now living in town. 

ix. Charles H., b. ; m. Lois Talbot, of Avon, 

Me., and lives in Vinalhaven. 

X. SOPHRONA, b. ; m. Eobert S. Lamb, of 

Harrison ; 2ndly, George Shead, of Norway. 

William Brackett, born in Westbrook, Me., Aug. 
25, 1789; married Sarah Hobbs, Oct. 1, 1811. (She 
was born July 6, 1792 ;) settled near the road cor- 
ners, in the " Brackett Neighborhood"— where his 
son George now lives — and reared eleven children. 
Mr. Brackett died Feb. 7, 18G5, aged 76 years ; liis 
wife died July 31, 1856, aged <o4. years. Chihlren 
as tollows : 

i. Danlel H., b. June 3, 1813 ; m. Hannah Ben- 
nett, of Cumberland, and lives at Freeport. 

ii. Mary, b. July 3, 1811; m. James Fogg, and re- 
sides in Gorham, Me. 

iii. Sybel S., b. July 23, 1816 : m. George Pearsons, 
and died several years ago. 

iv. George W., b. May 5, 1 818 ; m. Ptebecca Bailev, 
of Bridgton, May 17, 1812 ; (she Avas b. Oct. 
21, 1818) and settled on the homestead. Mr. 
Brackett has been a Selectman. His chihlren 
are as follows : 



36 HAREISOX, MAIXE. 

1. Christian L., b. Jau. 3, 1844; d. Oct. 26, 1858. 

2. Sarah A., b. June 6, 1849. 

3. Pamelia a., b. Aug. 24, 1851 ; m. George A. 

Hall, June 27, 1872. 

4. Emil S., b. Jmie 25, 1854. 

5. George E., b. June 16, 1857. 

6. Lizzie E., b. Aug. 30, 1859. 

7. Martha E., b. Aug. 26, 1864. 

V. Louis P., b. Xov. 26, 1819; in. William Perley, 

of Harrison. 
vi. Jonathan H., b. Feb. 19, 1821 ; m. Elizabeth 

Bennett of Cumberland, 
vii. Sarah, b. April 14, 1824 ; m. Artemus Mason, 

of Bethel, 
viii. Ann M., b. Sept. 26, 1825 ; m. Woodsum Mason, 

of Bethel, 
ix. LucRETiA, b. April 7, 1826 ; m. Moses Cobb, of 

Westbrook. 
X. Ellen, b. Feb. 20, 1830 ; m. Leander Barker, of 

Bethel, 
xi. Emeline^ b. Dec. 22, 1833 ; m. Dunn, of 

Bethel. 

3. Enoch Brackett, born in Westbrook, Me. ; married 

Arminta Caswell, of Harrison, Sept. 21, 1818, and 

settled near " Brackett's Corners, " in this town. 

He was somewhat eccentric, but acquii-ed a good 

property — had issue as follows : 

i. Eliza, b. ; m. Amos Small. 

ii. Ednah, b. ; m. David Sawyer. 

iii. Joseph, b. ; m. Lowell. 

iv. Fannie, b. ; m. Daniel B. Sawyer. 

4. John Brackett, born in Westbrook, Me. ; married 

Martha Ann, daughter of Edward Lowell, Sr., of 
Harrison, and settled on the "Bolster's Mills'' road, 
not far from "Caswell's Corner," where he now 
lives, ]\Ir. Brackett married, 2ndly, Sanborn, 3rdly, 
Stevens. Issue as follows, viz : AnioSj Horace, 
Merrill, Llewellyn, and Emma. 



CHAPLIN FAMILY. 37 



5. Chatman Beackett, bom in Westbiook, Me. ; mar- 

ried Amauda Wight, and settled in Caseo. Chil- 
dren — Joel, Elizabeth Jane, Ann and Charles. 

6. Eliza Bracicett, born in Westbrook, Me. ; married 

John P. Lowell, of Harrison, Jan. 27, 1824. 



OHAPLm FAMILY. 

The ancestry of this numerous and distinguished fam- 
ily is traced back to Bradford, Yorkshire, England. The 
IsTew England stock are descended from a Puritan who 
was driven to Leyden, in Holland, and came thence to 
Massachusetts, with the Rev. Ezekiel liodgers. May 20, 
1639. The first Bridgton and Harrison families came 
from Rowley, Mass., about 1788. They are noted for 
great size, many having weighed 300 lbs. 
1. Jacob Chaplin, son of John, was born in Rowley, 
Mass., April 13, 1782; married ]Miriam Jackson, in 
1807, and settled in that part of Harrison that has 
since been taken oft" to make the town of Nai)les. Mr. 
Chaplin separated from his first wife, and married 2ndly, 
Dec. 18, 1835, Susan Kimball, by whom, as also by first 
wife, he had issue. It is e^ ident that Mr. Chaplin was 
of Mormon ]iroclivities, from the fact that he lived with 
two women at once, each bearing children at nearly the 
same date. His children were as follows : 

i. Montgomery, b. in April, 1808 — d. young. 

ii. Charlotte, b. in 1813; m. Sept. 23, 1827, to 

Reuben Doughty, of Naples, 
iii. Louisa. 

iv. BEN.JA]vaN, b. Aug. 1; lives in Harrison, on the 
farm formerly owned by the Foster brothers, 
and has several children. 
V. Jacob, Jr., b. in 181(3. 
vi. William, b. in Sept., 1818. 
\ii. Richard J., b. April 1, 1820 ; m. Laurietta May- 
hue, (her mother was a daughter of Edmond 
Nasou, of Standish,) and settled in iN"a])les. 



38 HAEEISOX, MAI:N^E. 

Mr. Chaplin has a fine farm, and deals exten- 
sively in lumber and stock. No issue, 
viii. George W., b. Sept. 4, 1823. 
ix. Henry J., b. Dec. 5, 1827. 
X. Montgomery, b. .Tune 8, 1828. 
xi. David, b. Nov. 23, 1830. 
xii. Philena, b. May 11, 1832. 
xiii. Thomas J., b. Oct. 10, 1833. 
xiv. Elizabeth, b. June 13, 1812. 
A part of the last seven reside in Naples, but I have 
no records or particulars. 

Jacob Chaplin had brothers who once lived in the south 
end of Harrison ; one of them, the father of Hon. Caleb 
Chaplin, of Harrison vdlage; but there are no records on 
tlie town books. As that part of the town was early 
taken off to form Naples, these families more properly 
belouj;' to the history of that town, consequently I leave 
details to future aenealoaists. 



CHADBOUKNE FAMILY. 

All the Chadbournes in New Enj^land are supposed- to 
be descended fi'om Humphrey Chadbourne, who, accord- 
ing to Dr. Farmer, came to this country "on the in\itation 
of Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Capt. John Mason." Hub- 
bard refers to him as the "chief of the artificers," and 
says he "built the Great House at Strawberry Bank." 
He afterwards removed to South Ber^\ick, Maine, then a 
l)art of Kittery, where, in 1(513, he purchased of Bowles, 
sacheiu of the Wichawanocks, a large tract of land. He 
represented Kittery in the Mass. Gen. Court, in 1657 and 
IGol), and in 1002 he was appointed an Associate Judge 
for the County of York. He died in Berwick in 1006, 
after a residence in tliis country of about thirty-five years. 
Descended from him through Humphrey, William, 
Humphrey, was 

1. Jaivies Hobbs Chadbourne, Esq., who was born in 
1766; married Dorcas Whitmore, and came to 



CHADBOURXE FAMILY. 39 

Harrison as early as 1811. He had several brothers, 
among whom was Oapt. Sihis, of Gorham ; Rev. Levi, a 
Baptist minister ; Rev. William, a Baptist preacher, and 
several sisters. Mr. Chadbonrne located on the old How- 
ard place, since known as the " Stanley place," sitnated 
on the road that leads from Xewell Trafton's, to Bolster's 
Mills village. He was a tailor by trade — learned his 
trade with his eldest brother, Silas — was a Deacon of the 
Oougregationalist Chnrch, of Harrison ; many years a 
Jnstice of the Peace ; several years Town Clerk, and 
served in many other positions of trnst. He was a man 
■of candor, i)ractical sense, execntive ability and tirmness ; 
a real gentleman of the old school, and was highly es- 
teemed by his to^^^lS-people. He died in Harrison, Sept. 
12, 184(3, aged 75 years and 7 months. His wife died 
^ox. 8, 1840, aged 75 years and 9 months. Their descend- 
ants, as far as known, are as follows : — Children — 

i. Samuel Whitemore, b. in 1790; m. and was 
cast away upon Canipo Bello Island. His me- 
morial-stone, in the F. W. Baptist cemetery, 
bears the following inscription : "Samuel W. Chadbonrne, 
who was cast away on Cami)o Bello Island, and ])erishe(l 
on the night of Feb. 14th, 1817, aged 27 years. He was 
an amiable man, esteemed and lamented by all who knew 
him ; he had been happily united in nmrriage five months 
when it pleased God to separate them, but not fore\ er, 
having given them a lively hope that through the snffei- 
ings and righteousness of Christ, they should meet to 
part no more." His remains were removed from their 
original resting-place, on the Island, to make way for a 
road, and were buried in the yard before named. The 
curious free-stone monument that had been erected at his 
grave, was brought into town with his body and re-erected 
where it now stands. 

ii. Phebe, b. June 12, 1791 ; m. to Aaron Kimball, 
of Bridgton, and is now living in Boston. 

iii. Charlotte, b. Sept. 4, 1793 ; m. to Lyman Nut- 
ting, of Otislield. 

iv. Col. Jasies, b. June 23, 1796; m. Mercy A., 



40 HARBISON, MAIXE. 

daugbter of Samuel Scribner, of Harrison ; 
settled iu Waterford, and had issue — Whit- 
more, 8crib)i€r, Charles, WilUam and others,, 
whose names do not appear. 

V. RUPUS, b. June 20, 1798 ; m. ]Mahala, a daughter 
of Jonathan Moors, of Otistield; settled in 
Waterford ; subsequently emigrated to Wis- 
consin, where he died. His children were 
Granville, Albion, Marcena, JIahala, Julia, Hor- 
aee, Fredericlx and Fernando; the latter were 
twins. 

vi. Gardner, b. Oct. 24, ISOO -, d. when an infant. 

vii. Gardner, b. July 17, 1802 ; m. Betsey A., daugh- 
ter of Isaac Hall, of Gorham, and resided for 
several years in his native town ; he subse- 
quently moved to Lincoln, Me., m. a second 
wife, and had a family of children, of whom 
Martha and Mary survived ; several d. young-, 
whose names do not appear. 

viii, William, b. May 20, 1805 ; m., 1st, Sarah, 
a daughter of Abraham Burnham, of Harri- 
son ; 2ndly, Sarah floors, (sister of the wife 
of his brother Rufus,) and 3rd, Martha Ste- 
vens ot Sweden. He settled near the home- 
stead of his father ; is a farmer by occupation j 
has long been a member of the Congregation- 
alist church ; is a candid, honest man, and 
lives highly resi)ected. His children are Wil- 
liam Burnham, iSarah Jane and Elizabeth. 

ix. Charles, b. June 10, 1808 ; d. young. 

X. Simeon C, b. June 11, 1809 ; m. Miriam, daugh- 
ter of Dea. Edward Bray, of Harrison, and 
settled in Waterford ; subsequently he emi- 
grated to the AVest. Children as follows : 

1. Charles H., b. Aug. 14, 1834. 

2. Susan, b. March 8, 1830. 

3. George, b. Sept. 15, 1838. 

4. Joseph, b. Xov. 22, 1840. 

5. Edward, b. . 



CHADBOURNE FAMILY. 41 



6. Phebb, b. . 

xi. Humphrey, b. Xov. 1. 1811 ; m., 1st, Jaue Wight, 

of Otisfield, and 2udly, Libl>ey (?). He 

lived for some years iu Harrison, l)iit ultimate- 
ly went to Mohinkus. Children as follows : 

1. Jane W., b. Dec. 20, 1811. 

2. Danville S., b. Nov. 6, 1843. 

3. Harriet L., b. Julv 28, 1844. 

4. Henry W., b. April 19, 1840. 

5. JoSEPHENE E., b. Jan. 9, 1848. 

6. HtniPHREY J., b. Oct. 30, 1849. 

7. Adellia, S., b. Aug. 3, 1851. 

8. Irene H., b. Oct. 13, 1854. 

9. Samuel W., b. Feb. 10, 1857. 
10. Jane H., b. March 7, 1800. 

xii. Dorcas, b. April 13, 1817 ; m. to Nathan Nut- 
ting-, of Otistield, brother of Lyman. 

xiii. Samuel W., b. March 17, 1817 ; m. a daughter 
of Solomon Bray, of Harrison, and for many 
years resided in town. He emigrated West a 
few years ago. Mr. Chadbourne was & great 
horse-breaker and driver; had a son Cyrus, 
now iu the West. 



ANOTHER FAMILY. 

Benjamin H. Chadbourne, son of James, of Sanford, 
was descended from Humphrey, the first ancestor, through 
John, who was sometime of Kittery, but who settled in 
Sanfoi\l. This Benjamin had brothers, Levij George and 
Xathaniel. He married Polly Powers, sister of Nathan 
Powers, and daughter of the Mr. Powers who married 
the widow of Samuel Harmon, of Sanford. He came to 
Harrison as early as 1807, and settled on the north-west 
side of the " Hobbs Hill," on land now owned by Stephen 
Whitney. The house was on the road that leads from the 
head of Anonymous Pond to the Baptist Meeting House, 
and the cellar may still be seen. Mr. Chadbourne was a 



42 HAREISOK, MAIKE. 

mason by trade ; a man of gigantic powers, and has been 
known to cairy fico bushels of grain on his shonlders sev- 
eral miles. He made a journey from Baiiford to Harri- 
son on foot, when old, took a violent cold, and died Sept, 
•>, 1844. His children, eleven in lunnber, were as follows r 

i. Lowell P., b. Ang. 14, 1807 ; m. Darliskay 
danghter of Samnel Willard, of Harrison, (see 
Wiihird family) and died in 1844-48. His 
widow married to Daniel Scribner in 1848, 
Had one son. 

ii. Jameb M., b. Jnly 5, 1809 ; m. Rnth, daughter 
of Nicholas Bray, and went to Whitefield, X. 
H. He afterwards returned to Harrison, and 
thence to Amesbnry, Mass., where his descend- 
ants reside. No records of children. 
• iii. Hannah H., b. Nov. 18, 1811 ; m. to Jeremiah 
Monlton, of Sanford, and lived there. 

iv. Benja^hn H., 1). Oct. 4, 1813 ; m. Jane Chase, 
of Edgecomb, and settled at Lancaster, N. H., 
where he kept a store, and filled the ofltice of 
Deputy Sheriff. He afterwards went to Illi- 
nois, and during the war of the liebellion sym- 
pathized with the South. 

V. Thomas W., b. Nov. 23, 181G; m. Emma D. Ar- 
nold, March 10, 1858, and resided in Kockland 
or Boothbay. He was Policeman and High 
Sheriff in 1858 ; afterwards m. a second wife 
and removed to Boston, where he was engaged 
in business ^ith John Holman, his brother-in- 
law. 

vi. Nathan P., b. June 27, 1819; no other •infor- 
mation. 

vii. Mary W,, b. Sept. 28, 1821 ; died unmarried. 

viii. Deborah H., b. April 13, 1825; m. John Hol- 
man. 

ix. Sarah P., b. May 5, 1827 ; d. in the East. 

X. Alfred H., b. Ai)ril 7, 1830 ; went to St. Johns- 
bur>, Vermont, and learned the moulders^ 
trade, in the employ of the "Fairbanks' Scale 



CAESLEY FAMILY. 4,3 

CompaiiT," and afterward^ served as clerk for 
a Steam-mill Company, there. He subsequent- 
ly went South, and espoused the Rebel cause, 
served in the Southern Army, and returning, 
went into business with his brother-in-law, 
John Holman. 
DoRATHY S., b. Aug. 8, 1802 ; no particulars. 



OAESLEY FAMILY. 

This family is descended trom an old French stock, 
who spelled their names '•^ Chasfelal''^ before coming to 
America. They are not connected with the Ca.slei/s^ of 
England, as proved by recent investigation, although the 
ancestors of the New England family, no doubt, had for 
several generations resided in England. Three brothers, 
Edward, John and William, moved from the town of 
Scituate to Barnstable, Cape Cod, in 1039 ; and from the 
first of these descended John and Ebenezer Carsley, who 
came to Gorham, Me., about 1700; their families were 
among the so-called "New Lights" in that town; a peo- 
ple that were very zealous, religiously, and are said to 
have departed from the " Standing Order," to evade pay- 
ment of the parish tax. John Carsley, born in Barn- 
stable, Mass., about 1710, married Mercy Freeman, April 
5, 1701, and settled in Gorham, where he reared a large 
family, as follows : 

1. Mary Carsley, b. in Gorham, Feb. 23, 1705 ; m. 

James Watson, (see Watson family) of sai<l town, 
and ^4th her husband came to Harrison, among 
the first settlers — probably the second white wo- 
man in town. 

2. John Carsley, Jr., son of John, was b. in Gorham, 

Aug. 19, 1700 ; m. Martha Crockett, of said town, 
April 10, 1790, and was the Jirst settler in Harrison. 
His "clearing" was on the "liidge," near his brother 
Nathan's, on the opposite side of the road from the resi- 
dence of our townsman, Mr. George Cummiugs. Mr. 



44 HAKKISOX, MAINE. 

Carsley died m 1S23', and was burried in the F. W. Ba])tist 
cemetery, where his grave-stone bears the inscription, 
"the first settler in Harrison.'' He had issne, and some 
of his descendants are snpposed to be living in Eastern 
Maine. 

3. Nathan Carsley, son of John, b. April 9, 1767 ; m, 
Snsie, daughter of William and Elizabeth Cotton, 
of Gorham, (she was born April 17, 1700) in 1791, 
and settled on Lot No. 130, of Ennge 1, in Harri- 
son. He bnilt a camp and worked with his l)rother John 
in clearing land, in the autumn of 1792, but returned to 
Gorham and remained until March, of 1793, when, with 
his wife, drawn on a hand-sled on the crust of snow, he 
made his way from his native town, tlirough the wilder- 
ness, to this town. Here they remained and made their 
maple sugar, and in their rude camp their first child 
William — the first child born in Harrison proper — 
was born ; its mother being the first white woman in 
town. It was then a custom to give the first male child, 
borji in a township, a lot of land consisting of 100 acres ; 
and it is said Mr. Carsley's object in bringing his wife in- 
to to\Aai so early, and under such circumstances, was to 
secure the "gift lot" for his child. They returned to Gor- 
ham, and remained there until after the birth of their 
second child, when tliey came back and settled perma- 
nently in a rude log-house, near where Mr. Carsley after- 
wards erected his frame house, which is thought to have 
been the^r*'^ built in town. I have taken great pains to 
get at facts relative to this matter, and conclude that 
James Watson, l)rothcr-in-law of ]\Ir. Carsley, built his 
framed house firsf. The tradition i)revailed in town that 
the boards with whi(;h the Carsley house was covered, 
were carried on men's shoulders from the bank of Long 
Pond, but this is incorrect. Deacon Seth Carsley, a 
brother of Nathan, drew the boards from Waterford with 
a four-ox team, down the pond on the ice, as also the 
bri(;k for the chimney. Mr. Carsley endured deprivations 
and severe hardships, during the first years of his resi- 
dence here. The bears and 'coons destroyed his growing 



CAESLEY FAMILY. 45 

corn, and much of his subsistence had to be taken by 
hunting. He frequentl}' carried a bnshel of corn on liis 
back to '' Hay's Mill," crossing Crooked Eiver on a log. 
He was once setting a bear trap, in company with his son, 
and several times warned the lad to be careful and not 
get into the trap ; but when he had nearly completed his 
work and was about to start homeward he canght his 
foot nnder a bush and fell back into the trap himself, and 
the long teeth penetrated his leg so deeply that he was 
ever after a cripple. Mr. Carsley was a Deputy Sheriff", 
Selectman, and served in many positions of responsibility 
in his day. He was a man of tirmness, piudeuce and 
nprightness ; an extensive farmer for his day, and died 
April 27, 1855, his wife having predeceased him, Sept. liO, 
1853. They had issue as follows : 

i. William, b. April 14, 1703 ; m. Esther, daugh- 
ter of David Fogg, of Gorham, (she was b. 
Nov. 4, 1794) July 2, 1823, and settled in Har- 
rison, not very far from his father's. Mr. Cars- 
ley was born in a "sngar camp," the best accommoddthns 
the town afforded at the time. The exi)ectation of his 
parents was, that he would be the legal claimant of the 
'•'■ gift lot, " in town, but he was born in Otisfield, before 
Harrison became a town, and others saw the light, in the 
former town, previonsly ; hence William did not succeed. 
He lived where his son David now lives, and carried on 
a large farm. Mr. Carsley d. Sept. 20, ISGG, leaving a 
widow (now — 1870 — living) and tive children as follows : 

1. I^ATHAN, son of William, b. Jan. 6, 1825; m. 

Mary E. ISTewcomb, (see isTewcomb family) Ang. 
4, 1852, and settled near his wife's father's, at 
the center of the town. Mr. Carsley is a car 
l)euter and builder, and owns a small mill ; 
he also carries on a farm. One child named 
Lizzie. 

2. Berthia D., daughter of William, b. Feb. 15, 

1820 ; m. Oct. 21, 1801, to Andrew Chase, of 
Lynn, Mass. 



46 HAEEISOX, MAINE. 

3. William V., sou of William, b. Sept. 12, 1827 ; 

111. Auousta, dangliter of Samuel Suiitb, of 
Bridgtou, and settled as carpeuter and builder 
at the village — now iu feeble health. 

4. DAxm F., sou of William, b. Oct. 20, 1829 ; m. 

Auuie, daughter of Jonas Cummiugs, of Har- 
rison, (see Cummiugs family) and settled ou 
the homestead farm. He has three children, 
as follows : 

i. Willie E. b. Feb. 28, 18G7. 

ii. Anxie L., b. June 13, 18G8. 

iii. George P., b. Sept. 23, 1809. 

5. :M ARY J., daughter of William, b. March 15, 1831 ; 

m. Petei' Ilodgdou, of Gorhaui, iu 1809, and 
went to that town to reside. They are now 
living at Harrison sillage. 
ii. Seth, 2nd, son of Xathan, b. in Gorhani, March 
12, 1790; m. Asenath, sister of Jonas Cuni- 
iiiings, of Harrison, (she was b. in Topstield, 
Mass., Mai cli 23, 1804. See Cummiugs family.) 
Oct. 15. 1822, and settled on the "Pond Road," where 
Lowell Foster now resides. He sometime lived iu the 
A'illage, where Samuel Hardy now lives. Mr. Carsley m. 
2udly, Polly Pitts, of Harrison, (see Pitts family). He 
carried on mills at the ^^llage, and was a celebrated plow 
maker, when wooden plows were iu use ; he also invented 
a machine to manufacture shoe-lasts and hat-blocks, and 
made a journey to Washhigton, D. C, iu a gig, to secure 
his patent, (the document, bearing date April, 2 1830, is 
now in possession of his daughter, ]Mrs. Whitney, of whom 
hereaftei') and returned with his papers, bearing the auto- 
graphs of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Bureu. Mr. 
Carsley emigrated to Deertield, Warren Co., Pa., iu 1838, 
where he erected mills, and engaged largely in lumbering 
business; this undertaking [U'oving unsuccessful, he en- 
gaged in mill-l»uil(liiig for otiiers. He erected liis house 
on the banks of the Alleghany River, and there being no 
bridges near, he invented a self-propelling ferry-boat, sup- 
posed to be the tirst one known ; the boats were carried 



CAESLEY FAMILY. 47 

across tlie stream by the current -\vliich ran against tlieni 
obliquely. This proved a "paying investment." ^Iv. 
€arsley died in ]May, 185L*, and was buried at Tidioute, 
Pa. He had children as follows : 

1. Betsey, b. Jan. 5, 1Sl>5; m. James Whitney, of 

Harrison, and has issue — (see Whitney family.) 

2. Sybillan, b. Aug. 25, 1828. 

3. Infant daughter, b. Jan. 29, 1830. 

4. David C, b. March 20, 1832. 

5. Silas R., b. Feb. 20, 1836. 

6. Samuel H., b. Aug. 3, 1837. 

By second wife, Clarl-j Silas and Horace. 
iii. Betsey, daughter of Xathan, I, b. Nov. 7, 1797 ; 
m. April 25, 1821, MorriU Hobbs, Jr., of this 
town, and afterwards to Alnion Packard ; she 
lived to a good old age. 
iv. Berthia, daughter of Xathan, I., b. Oct. 25, 
1802; m. May 31, 1827, John Dawes, of this 
town, and is still living near the village — (see 
Dawes family.) 
4. Benjamin Carsley, son of John, born in Gor- 
ham, Sept. 23, 1709 ; married and settled in this 
town, on the "Pond Road," where Capt. James 
Ross now lives. He was a carpenter and builder — 
a powerful man, who could drink " full bumpers of the 
ardent" without apparent eflect. He subsequently moved 
to Pownal, where he lived to au old age. He married 
two wives, whose names do not appear, and had issue, 
eight children, as follows : 

i. Harriet, b. in Gorham, Dec. 28, 1800 ; iiow an 
inmate of the "Old Ladies' Home," in Portland, 
ii. George, b. Nov. 8, 1802 ; a mute, 
iii. Freeman, b. March 18, 1805 ; m. Aug. 31, 1834, 
Martha H. Phinney, of Gorham, and had issue, 
iv. Mark, b. Aug, 7, 1807. 
V. Charles, b. Sept. 19, 1810. 
\\. Mary, b. Oct. 11, 1812. 

vii. Lorenzo, b. Feb. 5, 1814; m. Betsey Bishop^ 
and had issue as follows : 1. Ahhie J/., b. Sept. 



48 HAREIS0:N^, MAINE. 

1, 1843 ; 2. Henrietta, b. Nov. 20, 1844, (m. 

FreemaD Bean.) 3. Eunice M., b. Sept. 26^ 

1859 ; died young, 
viii. Mercy, b. Aug. 7, 1816 ; m. in Portland, 
ix. Ai, b. in 1818. 
X. Eeuben, b. in 1820. 

5. Berthia Carsley, daughter of John, was born in 

Gorham, Feb. f», 1772 ; died the same year. 

6. Isaac Carsley, son of John, was born in Gorham^ 

Feb. 17, 1773 ; m. Jan. 18, 1797, Jennie Moshure, a 
hidy of French descent, and resided for a short 
time in this town. He was a carpenter and buikler j 
in okl age moved eastward — probably to Wilton — 
where he died, having had a family, named as fol- 
lows : 
i. James, b. in Gorham, Jan. 28, 1798 ; m. May 8^ 
1822, Eliza Lincoln, and had issue, four chil- 
dren, (all born in Gorham) as follows: 1. 
Abigail P., b. Jan. 11, 1823 ; 2. WilMm L., b. 
March 4, 1825 ; 3. JRoyal L., b. Jan. 6, 1828 ; 
4. Eliza, b. Aug. 8, 1831. 
ii. Louisa, b. in Gorham, May 13, 1801 ; m. Mr. 

Charles Davis, of Farmington, Me. 
iii. Jane, b. in Gorham, 1803 ; m. Sylvanus Davis, 

of Farmington, Me. 
iv. Isaac, Jr., b. in Gorham, in 1805 ; m. in Wilton, 
Maine — name of wife not known. 

7. JosiAH Carsley, son of John, born in Gorham, Oct. 

7, 1774, of whom no other information. 

8. Dorcas Carsley, daughter of John, born in Gor- 

ham, Jan. 20, 1781 ; married. 

9. Dea. Seth Carsley, son of John, born in Gorham, 

Me., July 18, 1782 ; married Jan. 22, 1809, Susanna, 
daughter of Moses Whitney, of Gorham, and set- 
tled in Harrison. He pur(;hased of Thomas Perley, 
of Boxford, Mass., in 1805, Lot No. 20, 1st liange, 2nd 
])ivision, then a part of Ikidgton ; this land was con- 
veyed to "Seth Carsk\y of Gorham, laborer," for $400. 
The deed was witnessed by John and Israel Perley. Mr. 



CAESLEY FAMILY. 49 

Carsley built his first house iu Bridgtou — or on that side 
of the road which teas a part of Bridgton — but subse- 
quently bought hind on the Otisfiehl side, and built the 
present house. He early united with the F. W. Bai)tist 
church, (one of its original members) was chosen a dea- 
con, and served in that office faithfully during the re- 
mainder of his life. He was a man of honesty and integ- 
rity, and was widely known and highly esteemed tbr his 
straightforward deportment, and sincere piety. His ac- 
quaintance with his denomination was extensive ; he had 
listened to the preaching of Benjamin Randall, Joseph 
White, Da^^d Marks and many other early ministers. 
He retained his faculties in old age, and at the time of 
his death, which occurred March 27, 1874, he was the 
oldest man in his town ; his wife predeceased him, Dec. 
16, 1873 ; their children, seven iu number, were as fol- 
lows : 

i. Maria, b. Feb. 2, 1810 ; d. July 29, 1839— un- 
married, 
ii. Susanna, b. Dec. 18, 1811 ; m. June 13, 1833, to 

Stephen Blake, and died Oct. 9, 1848. 
iii. Edward P., b. March 25, 1815 ; Uved at home 

with his parents, and has never married, 
iv. Kathan, b. April 20, 1817 ; m. Elizabeth Whit 
ney, his cousin, in 1842, and settled in tliis 
town. He worked as carpenter and farmer, 
and had issue as follows : Emily A., b. July 
16, 1843— dead ; George F., b. Nov. 20, 1845, 
and John U., b. Oct. 18, 1848— dead. 
V. John, b. July 16, 1820 ; m. Adaline, daughter of 
Timothy Blake, of Gorham, iu 1842, and d. at 
his father's house, July 19, 1847, leaving one 
child, Charles B., b. Oct. 1845 ; d. Jan. 23, 1846. 
vi. Mary A., b. Feb. 21, 1823 ; m. Stephen Blake, 
(who had m. her sister) and d. in Harrison, 
March 19, 1867. 
vii. Richard P., b." April 13, 1826 ; m. Oct 7, 1851, 
to Caroline M. Hayes, and resides at Newton, 
Mass. He is a carpenter by trade; has had 



50 HARRISOK, MAINE. 

issue, two cliildren, viz: Edmond, who (L 
yomi^, and Harriet. 
10. Eunice Caksley, daugLter of Jolin^ bom iu Gor- 
haiii, April 30, 1784 ; married. 



CASWELL FAMILY. 

Cas^vell, is Siiid to be a Erencli surname. Savage 
calls it " Castcell or Cassdl."^ They are distinct from a 
famil}' from Scotland who s]>ell their name Carswell. The 
first known ancestor of this family was Thomas Cas- 
well, of Taunton, Mass., one of the early settlers, 
of that town ; from him have descended numerous 
branches, now represented in several states. Alexis 
(Jaswell, Presi<lent of Brown University, was descended 
from the same ancestry at Taunton. A son of the Thom- 
as l)efore mentioned, Stephen by name, was fiither of 
Simeon Caswell, who came from Taunton, to Mhiot, 
]\Iaine, thence remov'cd to Harrison, in 1797, and was an- 
cestor direct of the families of that name, in that town 
and Bridgton, Mr. Caswell was born in Taunton, Mass., 
IMarch, 1703 ; married Miss Rachel Staples, and died Oct. 
21, 1844. He probably came into town with the Bray 
famil^^, and cleared a farm at the north-east part of the 
town siiu'c known as 'iCaswell's Corner." He was rather 
short but heavy built, with dark complexion. He was a 
Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Caswell had issue, eleven 
children, as follows : 

1. Philip Caswell, born in Taunton, 1786; married 

Pliila Bray, (i>robably of JNIinot) — she was born 

Jan. 28, 1780— in 181l', and settled at "Caswell's 

Corners," in Harrison. He was a good farmer, and 

served in several town ofdces. Mr. Caswell died Eel). 4, 

1874, aged 88 years ; his wife predeceased him, Sept. 30, 

1808. Children as follows: 

i. Mapy a., b. IMay 4, 1812 ; m. to Enoch Haskell, 
of Harrison, .June 20, 1833. 



CASWELL FAMILY. 51 

ii. Mauques D. P., h. Ang\ 29, 1814; in. Lucimla 
Cilley, of Gorlmm, Jun. 4, 1S43; settled ou liis 
father's lioniestead as farmer and blacksmith ; 
is the shortest man in town, save one, and has 
had issue, as follows : 
,1. David E., b. June 7, 1844; m. Hattie, daughter 
of Daniel Haskell, of Harrison, in Oct., 1875, 
and lives at "Caswell's Corner." 

2. Marques E., b. May 17, 184G; d. July 14, 1849. 

3. Cynthia H., b. Dec. 14, 1847. 

4. Millard I\I., b. May 12, 1850 ; m. Hattie, daugh- 

ter of Isaiah Webb, of Bridgton, in which 
town he works as a machinist. 

5. Albert B., b. Feb. 13, 1855 ; unmarried. 

6. Cornelia F., b. Feb. 26, 1857 ; nnmarried. 

7. Clara M., b. May 12, 1859 ; unmarried. 

iii. Ebenezer S., b. March 15, 1815 ; m. Emily Lee 
Barron, of Albany, in 1840, and resided for 
several years in this town. He now lives at 
Bridgton, where he works as painter and car- 
penter. Children as follows : 

1. Melissa J., b. Nov. 3, 1847 ; m. to Ansel Har- 

mon of Bridgton, Jnly 28, 1807, and d. Mav 8, 
1873. 

2. Ellen M., b. Dec, 1849 ; m. Albert C. Bangs, July 

29, 1809. ^ ^ y 

3. James F., b. July 7, 1852. 

4. Edgar M., b. Aug. 9, 1854 ; m. Emma Hayden,(?) 

Sept. 7, 1875. 

5. Attley M., b. April 1, 1857 ; unmarried. 

6. Ida E., b. Jan. 22, 1859 ; unmarried. 

7. Lillian, b. Aug-. 21, 1802 ; unmarried. 

iv. ARmNTA, b. Feb. 9, 1818 ; m. James Edwards, 
of Otisfleld, (?) in June, 1848. 

V. FiETTA, b. July 10, 1819 ; m. to Thomas Has- 
kell, of Harrison, in Jan., 1844. 

\i. EosiLLA, b. June 7, 1825 ; m. Henry Haskell, of 
Harrison, in Jan., 1850. 

vii. Abel A., b. Jan. 18, 1822; d. July 14, 1824. 



52 HAERISOX, MAIN^E. 

viii. Alfred, b. Jan. 18, 1828; d. Aug. 1, 1831. 
Philip Caswell had thirty-ttvo grand-children. 

2. Fanny Caswell, b. Dec. 2, 1788 ; m. Eobert Lamb, 

of Otisfleld, and is now living in this town. 

3. Simeon Caswell, b. Feb. 1, 1790 ; m. Lydia Whit- 

ney, and settled on the Sweden road, about one 
mile above North Bridgton village. He and his 
wife were buried near their home ; they had issue, 
two daughters and a son, as follows : 

i. Rachel, ^ 

ii. Abigail, > I have no particulars. 

iii. Simeon. ) 

4. Marques D. Caswell, born in Minot, Oct. 30, 1791 ; 

married Sally Nutting, of Otisfleld, iu 1818, and 

settled at " CasAvell's Corner," in Harrison, where 

he now lives a very active, well preserved man for 

one so old. His children, six in number, are as 

follows : 

i. Newell N., b. May 13, 1819; m. Elizabeth 

Gethercole, (of English parentage) Dec. 30, 

1847, and resides at Harrison tillage. Mr. 

Caswell owns lumber and grain mills, is a 

good mechanic, and a very quiet and highly 

respected citizen. His children are as follows : 

1. Emily E. b. March 24, 1849. 

2. HoLLis, b. May 22, 1861. 

ii. Francis B., b. March 28, 1821 ; m. Eunice Rus- 
sell, and settled in Bridgton, where he kept a 
fancy goods and jewelry store, in company 
with his brother. He, Mr. Caswell, carried 
on carriage manufacturing, and has been 
Selectman. He m. 2udly, Abbie Scribner ; has 
son, FranMin. 

iii. Lyman, b. Sept. 29, 1824 ; m. Mary Hancock, 
and carric<l on carriage building, at Harrison 
village, till his death. 

iv. Arvilla, b. Aug. 9, 1827 ; m. Edward K. Whit- 
ney, of Harrison, Oct. 29, 1848. 



CASWELL FAMILY. 53 

V. Fidelia, b. July 8, 1830 ; m. Samuel Gray, of 

Harrison — now a widow at the village. 
Ai. John H., b. May 6, 1833 ; m. Elizabeth Wliituey, 

of Harrison, and settled at Bridgton, where 

he keeps a jewelry store. 
Betsey Casavell, b. June 24, 1795; m. to Josiah 

Whitney, in the year 1826. 
LiBEUS Caswell, b. March 16, 1797; m. Polly, 
daughter of John Woodsum, of Harrison, Oct. 24, 
1820, and settled where Mr. Farnham now lives, in 
1836, ha\dng sold his farm previously at "Caswell's 
Corner." He died in 1856. Children as follows : 
i. Mary A., b. April 26, 1821 ; m, to Silas Stiles, 

of Bridgton, and went to Aroostook County, 
ii. John W., b. Oct. 31, 1822 ; m. Mary E. Puriug- 

tou, Feb. 23, 1851, and settled at Harrison 

village, where he manufactures wire. Mr. 

Caswell owns a fine residence. Children as 

follows: Isabella, Elizabeth, Mary, Affie B., 

Wallace, Charles A., Fredericlc, and FranMin. 

All unmarried, 
iii. Jane, b. Jan. 3, 1825; m. John Coffin; 2nd, 

William Smith; 3rd, David Yarrington — now 

in the West, 
iv. Libeus a., b. Aug. 30, 1826 ; d. June 12, 1827. 
V. Ad ALINE, b. May 27, 1828 ; m. to Irish Fogg, 

and lives in this town, 
vi. Libeus A., b. March 15, 1830 ; m. Louisa Loomis, 

and now lives in Iowa, 
vii; David J., b. March 9, 1832 ; m. Isabella Frost, 

went to Iowa and thence to Nebraska, 
vlii. Emma C, b. May 31, 1835 ; m. two brothers, viz : 

Mark and William Morton. In New Haven, 

Conn. 
ix. Abby F., b. March 17, 1838 ; m. to Simon Libbey. 
X. ZiLPAH A., b. July 28, 1840; m. Wentworth 

Stuart; 2ndly, John Gardner, and lives in 

Boston. 



54 HAEEISOX, MAINE. 

7, Zebina Caswell, bom Feb. 13, 1800 ; married Dor- 
cas A. Haskell, Sept. 22, 1822, and settled near 
"Caswell's Corner," next lionse below liis brother 
Libeus'. Mr. Caswell was a man of information, 
erudite, urbane in manners, and liiylily respected. 
He died in Waterford, in 1875, niid was buried at 
" Caswell's Corner," in tliis town. Children as fol- 
lows : 
i. Almon, b. 



ii. Julia A., b. ; m. to Cyrus Baker. 

iii. Catherine, b. . 

iv. Albert, b. 



V. Stephen, b. ; m. and lives at South 

Waterford. He is a merchant. 
8. Ar^hnta Caswell, born Feb. 10, 1802 ; m. to Enoch 
Brackett, Sept. 22, 1822. Lives in town. 
9. Alanson Cas^vell, b. May 13, 1801 ; no particulars. 

10. Thomas J. Caswell, b. in April, 1800 ; m. 

Buntin, in British Provinces, and now resides at 
Calais, Milltown. He has one son and six daugh- 
ters. I have no records. 

11. Hadassah Cas^vell, b. Dec. 6, 1808 ; never mar- 

ried. 



CUMMmGS FAMILY. 

Thomas Cummings, b. May 11, 1768 ; came from Tops- 
field, Mass., about 1810, and settled on the hill where the 
town farm is now situated. Mr. ('ummings wasdescend- 
<'d from an ancient family in Topsfield, in England, and 
lived a neighbor to the Kneeland family before coming 
witli them to Harrison. He had a large family. Chil- 
dren : 



Note.— Tl)t>i-e are several other large families of Caswells in Maine, sup- 
jiost'd to 1)1- 1 leseeuded from brothers of Simeon, the flrstancestor of tliis family. 
1 liave tlic names of several that were married in Turner, Maine. 



DAWES FAMILY. 55 



1. Jonas, born June 9, 1798 ; marriecl Nancy Piper, July 
2, 1829, and lived in Harrison, where his son George 
now lives. Mr. Cummings died about 1870. Chil- 
dren : 
i. ])OECAS A., b. May 10, 1830. 
ii. ZiBEAH B., b. Jan. 27, 1832 ; d. March 22, 1850. 
iii, Albert F., b. April 20, 1835 ; now living- on the 

Bolster's Mills ro;id. 
iv. Geobge H., b. Aug. 27, 1838 ; m. Sarah Fergu- 
son, and lives on the homestead place. Mr. 
Cummings is a progressive, public spirited 
man ; has served in the town offices. 
.2. Foster, born Aug. 23, 1800 5 married Lucy, dauglitei 
of Samuel Scribner, of Harrison, and lived in town. 
Mr. Cummings eventually went West where he was 
killed. He had four children, riz : N^athaniel, 
Albion, Caroline, and one daughter that married 
Samuel Miller. 

3. ASENATH, born March 23, 1803 ; married Oct. 15, 

1822, Seth Carsley, 2nd, and died many years ago. 

4. Kabby, b. April, 1808 ; m. Peabody Kneeland. 

5. Louisa, b. June 27, 1809 ; never married. 

C. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 21, 1811 ; married Sept. 27, 1832, 
to Samuel Gray of Harrison, and died Aug. 15, 
1867. 



DAWES FAMILY. 

The family are presumed to be of English descent. 
Several families were early in Massachusetts. The Har- 
rison family came from Duxbury, Mass. Joseph Daaves 
and wife, Mary Gushing, settled in the town of jNIinot, 
about 1790, and probably went there with the families of 
Sampson, Paclmrd and Howard, as those came from Mas- 
sachusetts, to this town, through Minot. Mr. Dawes 
came to this town about 1802, and with his son, cleai'ed 
the farm where his grandson and great-grandson now live. 
Mr. Dawes had one son born in Duxbury, Mass. Plis 



56 HARRISON, MAINE. 

first wife died July 22, 1789, aud he married 2ndly, , 

by whom he had two children. He died in this towu^ 
March 27, 1833. Children as follows : 

1. Gushing Dawes, son of Joseph, born in Dnxbury^ 

Mass., Aug. 2y 1775 ; married Mary Packard, (she 
was born in Duxbury, Mass., Feb. 11, 1780) in 
Minot, Me., Nov. 27, 1800, and soon after came to 
this town. He settled witli his father on the fiirm where 
the family have ever since lived. Mr. Dawes died Sept. 
13, 1853, aged 77 years. His widow died May 21, 1874^ 
aged 94 years. Tlieir children were as follows : 

i. Nancy, b. in Minot, Dec. 8, 1801 ; m. Bucknell 
Scribner, of Hariison, Oct. 11, 1821, and died 
Oct. 3, 1823, aged 21 years, 
ii. John, b. in Harrison, April 21, 1803 ; m. Bertliia, 
daughter of Nathan Carsley, (she was born 
Oct. 25, 1802) May 31, 1827, mid settled on his 
father's old farm, where he now lives. Mr. 
Da^A'es has always been a jniblic-spirited man, and has 
filled many positions of trust in his town; has been Se- 
lectman and Representative ; is Justice of the Peace, and 
Deacon of the F. W. Baptist Church. Mr. Dawes has 
issue as follows : 

1. Samitel H., b. Sept. 18, 1828 ; m. Lucy A. Adams, 

of this town, Jan. 19, 1851, and now lives on 
the "Old Dawes Farm." He is an active busi- 
ness man, and has acquired competency. Mr. 
Dawes has built a magnificent residence on the hill, over- 
looking the village, and has done nuich to beautify the 
grounds about his house, making it a very attractive 
place. Children — Annie and Cora. 

2. Nancy, b. Nov. 8, 1831 ; m. Galen J. Deguio, of 

Portland, Jan. 19, 1854. 

3. Silas C, b. Sept. 15, 1840; m. Addie Frye, of 

Lewiston, Me., Nov. 24. 1863, and now lives in 
Toledo, Ohio. He is General Agent for the 
"Union Life Insurance Company," of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. He has two sons. 

2. Bela Dawes, born in Harrison, Jan. (J, 1793 ; mar- 



EMERSON FAMILY. 57 

lied Eunice Walker, (see Walker family) Oct. 21, 
1819, settled in Harrison, and had issue, of whom 
hereafter. Mr. Dawes died in 1870, aged 77 years. 
His children were as follows : 
i. Eliza, b. March 12, 1820 ; m. Benjamin Wheeler, 

May 1, 1819 — live« in thivS town, 
ii. Sophia, b. July 7, 1822; m. John Simpson, of 

Saco ; 2ndly, Frederick Le Barron, 
iii. Calvin, b. Feb. 5, 1820 ; m. Susanna Xewcomb, 

of Harrison, Jan. 4, 1853. 
iv. Okin, b. Jan. 18, 1828 ; d. Sept. 1, 1831. 

V. Levi, b. May 24, 1830 ; m. Angeline . 

xi. Alanson, b. June 23, 1833 ; m. Melissa Wheeler, 
(sister of Benjamin, before named) and settled 
in this town. He has had a small farm, and 
worked in the wire factory — now living at the 
village. Has children as follows: Leman, 
John, Xellle, Lillie and Addie. 
vii. Lois, b. July 28, 183G ; d. March 19, 1844. 



EMEESON FAMILY. 

Michael Emersox came from England, early in the 
17th century and settled in Mass., where he reared a 
family from whom descended William Emerson and 
Theodore, brothers, who came from Methuen, ^lass., 
the former in 1772, the latter in 1779, and settled in 
Bridgton, Maine, and became the ancestors of the Emer- 
sons in that town and Harrison. William E:mersox 
was born in 1748, married Elizabeth Myrick, a Welsh 
lady, and died in 1827. " He was by nature," says Mar- 
shall Cram, "singularly fitted to aid in the settlement of 
a new country ; he had a strong constitution, great pow- 
ers of endurance, cheerful spirits and a kind heart." He 
had issue, six sons and seven daughters, of whom one 
settled here, viz : 

Note. — Tliis Dawes family is descended from tlie same ancestry as Congress- 
man Dawes, of Massachusetts. 



58 HARRISON, MAIKE, 

1. Ma.j. Jacob ET»rEKSON, b. in Bridgton, iu 177G ; mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of George Thorns, of Gorham ^ 
(see Thorns family) i>urchased of Enoch Perley^ 
Lot Xo. 12, iu Range 1, of the 20th Division of 
lots^ tlien (1797) iu Bridgton. He bought, 2udly, iu 1807,. 
Lot No. 12, iu Range 3, of the 2ud Division, of Thomas 
Perley. The deed was witnessed by Sarah Wood and 
Mary Perley, and acknowledged by Moody Spoft'ord, Jus- 
tice, Mr. Emerson purchased, 3rdly, of Thomas Perley,. 
of Boxford, Mass., Lot No. 13, iu Range 3 — ^the deed of 
conveyance witnessed by Sally Wood and Sally Warren,, 
and acknowledged by Stephen Peabody. Mr. Emerson 
erected a house on the first mentioned lot, aud lived there 
while clearing li\ud, some three years prior to his mar- 
riage. He sold this to Israel Harmon, who sold to George 
Hanscomb, who sold to Solomon Newbegin, who sold to 
Thomas Lakin, present o^vner. 

3Iai. Emerson was collector in ISOG ; Selectman for 
about ten years, and Representative for 1823-25-27 and 
1829. He was Ensign in the old militia, but on account 
of political views, was superseded by Benjamin Foster, 
who was promoted to Captain. But in the following 
autumn Emerson vras appointed Quartermaster, aud after- 
wards commissioned ]Major of the 2ud Regiment, of the 
1st Brigade, 12th Dixision, Maine Infantry ; this commis- 
sion he resigned in 1810, when E. Mattoon was Adjutant 
General, lie joined the "Oriental Lodge"' of Freemasons 
at North Bridgton, in 1800, and received the degree of 
Master ^Mason. He was Justice of the Peace for many 
years, and served in many positions of trust, always sus- 
taining the confidence reposed in him, and proving him- 
self an able man of his school. He was naturally grave, 
and of few words, but kind hearted and honest. He was 
. detached for service in the war of 1812, but excused be- 
cause of sickness in his famil3\ JNIajor Foster, of Bridg- 
ton, killed a moose on the day of Mr. Emerson's birth, 
and he (Emerson) used to say "I remember well that 
mother had moose-meat for dinner the day I was born." 
He liveil respected and died deservedly lamented, Aug, 



FOSTER FAMILY. 50 

7, 18G5 ; be was buried on the liill a little way north of 
his residence. His issue was as follows : 

i. Mary, b. May 1, 1800; m. Sewall Berry, of 

Sweden, and is now a widow in Saco. 
ii. George, b. Sept. 17, 1807; resides on the home- 
stead witli a maiden sister. ISTever married, 
iii. Amos, b. May 5, 1809 ; was drowned in a brook 

in Carmel, Me., 1835, while in a fit. 
iv. Lydia, b. Dec. 21, 1810 ; d. June 1, 1820. 
V. EOBERT, b. :Nov. 5, 1812 ; d. Oct. 18, 1813. 
vi. Egbert, b. May 20, 1814 ; went to sea and was 

never afterwards heard from, 
vii. ]S^A^"CY, b. Oct. 10, 1810 ; resided at home with 

her brother George. i^Tever married. Died in 

1870. 
\iii. William, b. Feb. 17, 1819; was a blacksmith, 

and died in Portland, Oct. 8, 1814. 
is. Silas, b. April 24, 1821 ; went to California in 

1841. 
X, Carlos, b. Nov. 10, 1823 ; m. Orissa Bryant, of 

" Howe's Hill, " Paris ; removed to Illinois, 

thence to California, where he now lives. 
xi. LoviNA K., b. May 4, 1825 ; m. Elias Hanscomb, 

of Lyman, now resident of Biddeford. 



FOSTER FAMILY. 

The Fosters are of English derivation and came to 
Massachusetts about 1040. They were intermarried with 
the Peabodys and Perleys previous to the coming of those 
families to America, and while residents in Massachusetts; 
as well as since their settlement in Maine. 

AsAEL Foster came from Danvers, in the year 1772, 

Note. — I have complete records of the older generations of the Emerson fam- 
ily aud collateral branches, which belong more properly to the history of 
Bridgton, and will be kept iu anticipation of the pul jlished records of that toVn ; 
a work which I sincerely hope some competent haml will soon undertake, ami 
avert their destruction by tire, as were tlie Proprietors' Records of that town- 
ship. Author. 



60 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

and first settled at a place iu Bridgton, since known as 
" Hensborongb" — Lot No. 4, Range 19. He bnilt the first 
frame house in Bridgton, and his ^^ile was the first mar- 
ried woman that settled in that town. Mr. Foster died 
in Feb., 1820, "from the kick of a horse," aged 71 years, 
having had issne, eleven children, named as follows : 
Joseph^ Asael, Benjamin^ FnoieiSj Moody, Lucy, Mary, 
Sarah, Joanna, Rebecca, and Mehitahle. 
1. Benjamin Foster purchased land of Thomas Perley, 
theu in Bridgton, now in Harrison, bordering on 
Crooked Eiver, and near the land of Maj. Emerson. 
Here he had a rude camp and worked clearing 
land several years previous to his marriage ; he after- 
wards erected a frame house, and married Xancy Veasey, 
of Denmark. He planted twelve acres of corn on burnt 
land, the first year of his residence in Harrison. Some 
years after his marriage, and when the popidation of his 
town had increased, Mr. Foster built a small gTocery and 
"grogery,'' which was contiuued many years. The store 
was the place where many curious scenes were enacted. 
Being near the course of the river, the drivers resorted 
tliither, where they could n-et the inside to correspond 
with the outside. 

At oue time one of the lumber-drivers feigned sick, and 
one "Old Doctor Black" was called to Mr. Foster's to pre- 
scribe for him. While there the Doctor was invited to 
take some of the "ardent," which to refuse in those days, 
would have been considered a transgression of the rules 
of propriety ; consequently he shared in the "flow of the 
bowl," and was soon as merry as the merriest. Now the 
Doctor had a white-faced horse, and Capt. Foster had a 
white-faced steer ; and when the Doctor had become so 
intoxicated as not to discriminate, the drivers changed 
tlie saddle and bridle from the horse to the steer, and 
placed the Doctor upon liis back. The poor frightened 
creature was not acipiaiuted with such a harness, ami 
raisiug his tail high in the air, bellowed, and dashed 
down the yard, precipitating the "medicine man" head- 
long into the mud. 



FOSTER FAMILY. Gl 

Capt. Foster was once camping" in Bridgton, when an 
old horse, belonging to a neighbor, kept eating from his 
hay-stack. The owner was requested to take care of the 
horse, again and again, but took no heed. Coming in 
from the woods one evening the old horse was found eat- 
ing from the Captain's hay* Without any delay, Foster 
commanded one of the men to hold the horse, when, go- 
ing into the cam}) for a brand of tire, he made it fast to 
the horse's tail, and giving him a smart cut with a stick- 
sent him dashing down the road. The running of the 
horse through the wind, caused the fire to burn more 
brightly, frightening him more and more, and he never 
ceased his running until he reached his owner's barn, and 
stood trembling before the door. It may be ininecessary 
to say that the horse never returned to trouble Captain 
Foster's hay. 

I have now to relate the most curious and sad affair 
(perhaps) in the experience of Mr. Foster, and one which 
occurred in his early years.* He had been on an evening- 
visit to his "intended," and was returning', when he 
stumbled upon a huge bear. The bear made for him at 
once, and to escape, Foster made haste to climb a small 
tree — one which he supposed too small for the bear to 
hug. But he soon saw her bearship coming up after him. 
He climbed as high as he dared to, lest his weight should 
break the tree. The bear took his heel in her teeth, tear- 
ing away the slipper and tiesh, and losing her hold fell to 
the ground. Foster then supposed his danger past, but 
he was again disappointed. She had no sooner recovered 
her feet than she climbed the tree again, this time tear- 
ing the flesh away from his heels, clean to the bones, and 
both man and bear fell to the ground, the tree breaking. 
Mr. Foster was "top of the heap" when they struck the 
ground, and ran with all his might toward his home — 
the bear did not follow — and was so wild with fear 
that he did not feel the pain of his feet until going through 

*This adventure did not occur after his removal to the cast side of Lunc- Pond. 
Mr. Foster was reared near tlie line, between Briilutnn and Driunark, conse- 
quently had not far to go. I give the tradition as related by liis own family. 



62 HARRISOX, MAINE. . 

a field of rye stubble, which, jiricking the mangled flesh, 
caused him severe distress. He was made a cripi)le for 
life, aud probably cousiilered his bride a costly prize. 
Capt. Foster died in Harrison, at the advanced age of 84 
years, having issue, eight children, as folloAvs : 

i. Amos P., b. Oct 11, 1804 ; m. Annie Knight, of 
Otisfield, and settled in Harrison. He was a 
farmer by occupation, living wliere Samuel 
Pitts now lives, on the "Pond road." Mr. Fos- 
ter removed to Otisfield, some years since, where his wife 
died in 1809. They had issue as follows : 

1. Benja^nhn, son of Amos, and grandson of Ben- 

jamin, m. Susan E. Clark, settled on his fath- 
er's homestead, and has two children — Rose 
and Clara. 

2. Abigail, daugliter of Benjamin — died young. 

3. Ann, daughter of Benjamin, now living with her 

father — unmarried. 

4. Kate, daughter of Benjamin, m. to Dexter An- 

drews, of Otisfield — now living in Norway, 
ii. BENJA]vnN S., b. June 25, 1800 ; m. Esther Cush- 
man, Jan. 15, 1832, settled in Harrison, on the 
homestead place of his lather, and d. Ai)ril 
14, 1807, having had issue, three children, as 
follows : 

1. Cyrus K., b. Jan. 12, 1832 ; m. Mary E. Merrow, 

Nov. 12, 1800 ; settled in Harrison, on land of 
his father's, and had issue — Cora JE., b. July 
17,1801; George F., b. Jan. 14, 1804; ^''eUie 
W., b. Aug. 28, 1805, and one infant^ — all dead. 

2. Ezra T., b. May 11, 1834; m. Marilla Merrow, 

1801 ; settled in Harrison, in same house with 
his brother Cyrus — no issue. 

3. Charles W., b. Feb. 3, 1830 ; m. Frances A. Lib- 

bey, Feb. 8, 1859 ; settled on the liomestead 

pla(;e of his father ; removed to Bridgton, and 

is noAV preaching tlie gospel, and working as 

carpenter. He has issue, three children, as follows : 



FOSTER FAMILY, G3 

:Snsie S., b. June 25, 1865 ; Charlie, b. Oct. 10, 186G, and 

MeUie L., b. July 20, 1868. 

iii. Abigail L., b. May 25, 1808 — no other infor- 
mation, 
iv. Thomas V., b. Dec. 17, 1810; ni. Mary Ann 
Pliinney, June 8, 1828, and 2ndly, Alwilda G. 
Foster,' (his cousin) Xov. 20, 1850. Mi-. Foster 
settled in Stoneham after a short residence in 

Harrison, and has speculated in hind and horses — luis 

Jiad issue, five chiklren, as follows : 

1. Stephen, who ni. Eiuina Robinson— now dead. 

2. Ejieline, m. Puriugton, of Lynn, Mass., 

— now dead, 

3. Abigail, m. to Ebeu Leach, of Portland — living. 

4. Adaline, m. to Augustus Barker. 

5. Maetha, m. to Frank Rowell, of Harrison. 

V. Nancy, b. Aug 25, 1813 ; no more information. 

vi. Valentine Lowell, b. Aug. 7, 1815 ; m. 1st, 
Julia Scribuer, 2nd, Ellen Blake, and 3rd, 
Susan Newcomb. He resides in Harrison ; is 
a farmer by occupation, and has issue, six 
children, as follows : 

1. Joseph, b. March 1, 1813 ; m. Hannah Edson, 

of Harrison, and resides in that town. 

2. Albert, b. July 9, 1815 ; d. Jan. 11, 1817. 

3. Mary, b. Dec. i2, 1817 ; m. — Hamblin. 

4. Frank. 

5. Ellen, and one other. 

vii. George, b. in 1817 ; m. Ann Osgood, of Bridge 
ton, now a land speculator, resides in Portland ^ 
Me., and has issue, four children, as follows : 
Clinton, Arthur, Rose and Emma. 

Wii. Joseph, son of Benjamin, and brother of George, 
as above, d. when a young man, at home. 

Note.— The Fosters of South Bridgton, and iu Eastern Maine, (Vassalboro') 
are descended from the same stock, through Asaet, Francis and Moody, who, as 
before mentioned, were brothers of Capt. Benjamin, of Harrison. The celebrat- 
ed "trapper and hunter," whose name is frequently seen iu Maine papers, con- 
nected with daring adventures in the backwoods, is a relative. 



64 HAERISOI^, MAINE. 

GAMMON FAMILY. 

I have not ascertained where this family originated. 
They were in town very early, and it is thought the 
Naples families are connected. I shall give the names 
and dates as found in the records. 

John Gaivevion, and Mary, his wife, were probably here 
as early as 1800 ; they had children as follows : 

1. Nathaniel H., b. Sept. 18, 1709. 

2. Betsey, b. Dec. 21, 1800. 

3. Sally, b. May 1, 1802. 

4. Hasty, b. May 19, 1804. 

5. Weman, b. Sept. 21, 1805. 

6. JA3IIS0N, b. Oct. 5, 1807. 

7. Hannah, b. March 22, 1809. 

8. Newell, b. May 22, 1811. 

9. Abigail, b. Nov. 19, 1812. 

10. Mary Ann, b. May 2, 1814. 

11. Olh'cE, b. June 9, 1810. 

12. Joanna, b. Feb. 19, 1819. 



GILSON FAMILY. 

They came from Groton, ]Mass. The surname is Scotch. 
Burk regards the family as very ancient. Slmeon Gil- 
son, of Groton, had a large family, and several of his 
children settled in this town. 

1. Levi Gilson, son of Simeon, was born about 1770; 
married Sybell Lakin (cousin of that Joseph who 
settled in Sebago, and became ancestor of the 
Lakins in this to^^^l) and came to Harrison in March, 1803. 
His first dwelling was in the north of the town, where 
Isaac Hall now lives. JNIr. Gilson married for his second 
wife, Philena, daughter of John Bucknell, and by her, as 
also his first wife, he had children. He and his brother 
Peter, and John and William Gammon, were set off in a 

Note. — John and \]'illiam Ganuuon lived on tlie road that leads to Bolster's 
MiUb. 



GILS0:N^ family. 65 

school district Ity tliemselves in 1812. Mr. Gilsoii died 
iu 1830, and was laid by tlie side of his wife on '^Scrib- 
ner's Hill." Children T 

i. Levi Gilson, eldest son of Levi, 1, born in Gro- 

ton, Mass., Jan. 14, 1795 ; came to Harrison 

with his parents when eight years old, and 

mairied Sally Carter, sister of Otis Carter, 

and settled on "Gilson's Hill," where Major StcAvart now 

lives. He was a farmer, and had fivo children, as follows : 

1. Charles, avIio m. Adaline Fogg ; went South 

and committed suicide. * 

2. George, who m. and went South. 

ii. Sybell Gilson, secoiul child of Levi, 1, was b. 
in Groton, Mass., Dec, 29, 1790; m. Zenas 
Pool, of Greenwood, Me. 
iii. Jacob Gilson, third cliild of Levi, 1, was b. iu 
Groton, Mass., Feb. 25, 1799 ; m. Sally, daugh- 
ter of "Colonel Wood," of Groton, and settled 
in this town. Mr. Gilsou has been blind more 
than fifty years, and endured great suffering. He can- 
not distinguish between light and darkness, and yet he 
can find his way in any part of the town unassisted; 'he 
has also cultivated a small farm, and finds his fields and 
woods, guided by wires stret(;hed upon stakes from his 
door. In early life he embraced religion, and has ever 
sustained a devoted christian deportment. His wife d. 
iu 1876, leaving liim with one child, Syhell, on the town- 
farm. 

iv. EoxANNA Gilson, fourth child of Levi, 1, was 
b. in Groton, Mass., Oct. 28, 1800 ; m. William 
Pool, brother of Zenas, before mentioned, of 
Greenwood. 
V. Abel Gilson, fifth child of Levi, 1, was b. in 
this town, Sept. 2, 1803 ; m. "down east," and 
after a few years started for New Hampshire, 
and stopped a night with his sister, in Green- 
wood, and was never afterwards heard from. It is thought 
his wife knew his whereabouts as she left a few years 



66 HARBISON, MAINE. 

subsequently, as suddenly as lie liad done — probably tx> 
join him, 

vi. Mary Gilson, sixth child of Levi, 1, was b. in 

town, Sept. 17, 1S04 ; ni. March 18, 1827, to 

Jeremiah Cummiugs, of Poland, 
vii. Jonathan Gilson, seventh child of Levi, 1, was 

b. Feb. 10, 1800, and m. Almira Harris, of 

Minot. 
viii, Lucy Gilson, eighth child of Levi, 1, was b, 

Sept. 25, 1807 ; d. young — unmarried, 
ix. ^Sanders Gilson, ninth child of Levi, ], wasb, 

Aug. 14, 1809. No other information. 
X.. Susanna Gilson, tenth child of Levi, 1, was b. 

Aug. 30, 1812. No other inforination. 
xi. ScRiBNEE Gilson, eleventh child of Levi, 1, was. 

b. Aug. 14, 1814. 
xii. Sarah Ann Gilson, twelfth child of Levi, 1^ 

was born Sept. 17, 1810. 
xiii. PARI03R Gilson, b. June 21, 1818. • 
xiv. Lucy Gilson, b. Aug. 1, 1820. 

2. Timothy Gilson, whose wife's name was 8(dly, was> 

a brother of Levi, 1. He settled in this town, and 
remained here from 1803 to 1812 — jiossibly longer — 
but returned to Massachusetts and died tliere. 
His children, born here, were as follows : 

i. Celestia, b. March 10, 1805. 

ii. Alpheus, b, Feb. 7, 1807. 

iii. Edward, b. Sept. 0, 1800. 

iv. Sally, b. June 3, 1812 ; m. Clement Randall^ 
March 5, 1840. 

3, Peter Gilson, a son of Simeon and brother of Levi 

and ThnotJty, before mentioned, settled in town 
contemi)orary witli his brothers, and built a saw- 
mill and grist-mill on Crooked River, below Avhere 
Bolster's ^lills were afterward built. He was a man of 
enterprise and juiblic si)irit and served in several town 
oflices. He returned to INIassachusetts, and became a 
wealthy man. His children, boin in this town, were as 



GRAY FAMILY. 67 



follows: Jane, Rachelj John, Robert, Samnel, Uimice and 

Pattie. 

4. Sevieon, ^ These three children of Simeon remained 

6. BeSey, S "^ ^^"'""' ^''''■ 

GRAY FAMILY. 

Gray is an ancient Scottish snrname, and ancestors of 
the line fignred extensively in the 10th and 17th centuries 
in Great Britain ; they may be properly called an emi- 
nent historical fanuly, and have everywhere been distin- 
guished bj^ great firmness of character. James Gray, a 
shoe-maker by trade, came from Beverly, Mass., and set- 
tled on land in Bridgton, between the Center and "Hio." 
He moved thence to Bridgton village, near Benj. Walk- 
er's, and carried on his business of shoe-making. He sub- 
sequently came to this town and located on the "Pond 
Road," below James Watson's, where he cleared a farm, 
and worked at his trade ; his house was nearly opj^osite 
the brick house built by his son, now owned by Henry 
Kneeland. Mr. Gray nuirried twice ; 1st, Mary Stickney, 
and 2ndly, Polly Lewis — had issue by the first wife. He 
died in town. Children : 

1. Ja]MES, married Hannah Thorn, and settled in Sebago, 

as a farmer, and is now a resident of that town — 
has issue. 

2. Nathaniel, lives in Dauvers, Mass. 

3. Mary, married Freeman Whitney, of Harrison. (See 

Whitney family.) 

4. JosiAH, married Eunice Fuller, and lived at Dan vers, 

Mass., — now dead. 

5. Eben, never married. Died in Harrison, May 3, 1875. 

6. William, married Mary Newcomb, Sept. 19, 1830, 

and settled in this toAvu near the "Newcomb Brook''' 
— the farm now owned by Gideon Records. Mr. 
Gray emigrated to the State of Illinois, in the year 
1870, and is now living there. He had issue, two 
sons. 



68 HAREISOX, MAINE. 

7. Irene, married Ebenezer lugalls, of Bridgton, and 

is living at Edward Gibbs'. 

8. Hannah, married John Merrow, of EatoD, N. H., and 

is now living in Harrison. 

9. Samuel, b. in Bridgton, March 9, 1807; married 

Elizabeth Ciimmings, of Harrison, (sister of Jo^jas) 
Sept. 27, 1832, (she was born Dec. 21, 1811, and 
died Aug. 15, 1867,) 2ndly, Fidelia Caswell, May 
12, 1868, (see Caswell family) and by her had Lizzie P., 
b. Oct. 4, 1869. Mr. Gray followed farming for manj^ 
years, and built the brick house on the Pond Koad, where 
Heniy I\jieelaud now lives; he subsequently engaged 
largely in timber and lumber business, and moved to the 
village. He died Feb. 21, 1872, leading a widow and on- 
ly child. 



HALL FAMILY. 

Hall is an English surname, and those who bear it are 
very numerous in oSTew England. 

Isaac Hall, son of Ebenezer Hall, who was an early 
settler of Gorham, and who left that town in 1746, on ac- 
count of the Indian war, was born in said town. May 23, 
1770 ; married Anna Whitney, of said town, May 19, 1791, 
and removed from (iorham to Harrison in Feb., 1812. He 
settled on the farju where Isaac Hall, Jr., now lives ; his 
family, at the time of settlement in this town, consisted 
of a wife and seven children. Mr. Hall died Feb. 8, 1831. 
His children were as follows : 

1. ]\Iehitable Hall, born I*^ov. 6, 1793; married Ben- 

jamin Jordan, of Norway, in May, 1814, and died 
Aug. 2, 1851. 

2. Mercy Hall, born Jan. 31, 1796; married Capt. 

Wentworth Stewart, or Stttart, settled in this town, 
and died Oct. 29, 1843. See Stuart Family. 

Note.— Albert Gray, Esq., now a prominent citizen of Harrison, belongs to 
another family. 



HALL FAMILY. 69 



3. Mary Hall, born Oct. 16, 1798 ; iiiarried Solomon 

Stnart, and is now livino; in town. 

4. Joseph W. Hall, born Jnne 29, 1801 ; married Sarab 

Jordan, of Norway, and settled in this town ; be 
snbseqnently moved to Lee, Me., tbence to Lewis- 
ton, tbence to St. Panl, Minn., wbere be now- re- 
sides. Cbildren : Albert ; Emeline^ married Natbaniel 
Getcbell, of Moumoutb ; Merrit J.; Esther J.., married 
rlosepb Crockett, of Lewiston; Harriet E.^ married Eev, 
Otis Andrews, of New Sbaron 5 Charles and Isaac, Uve 
witb tbeir parents — unmarried. 

0. Betsey Hall, born Mareb 18, 1803 ; married Gard- 
ner Cbadbonrne, (see Cbadbonrne family) and set- 
tled in tbis town; afterwards moved to Lincoln, 
Me., wbere sbe died, some twenty tbree years ago. 

6. Isaac Hall, Jr., born Oct. o, 1805 ; married, 1st, to 

Betsey Cobb, and 2ndly, Dorcas Titcomb, Oct. 9, 
1838. He settled ni tbis town, on tbe bomestead 
of bis fatlier, wbere be bas since resided, an bon- 
est, respected townsman. Mr. Hall bad issne as 
follows : 

i. Adolphus C, b. Jnne 24, 1832 ; m. Fannie E. 
Grimsbaw, of Galena, Ills., — resides at Cen- 
tralia, Ills. 

ii. Rose A., b. Feb. 16, 1835 ; nnmarried. 

iii. Moses E., b. July 21, 1842 ; unmarried — at bome. 

7. Haeriet Hall, born May 4, 1808; died Jan. 17, 

1809. 

8. Nancy Hall, born June 4, 1810 ; married Jouatbau 

Bucknell, of Harrison, and died July 9, 1855. 

9. Hannah D. Hall, born in Harrison, Feb. 21, 1813 ; 

married Samuel Stuart, April 14, 1831 ; settled in 
Harrison, and died Dec. 23, 1868. 

10. Silas E. Hall, bom in Harrison, Oct. 2, 1816; 

married Estber A. Pike, of Norway, in May, 1844 ; 
settled in tbis town, and afterwards moved to Nor- 
way, wbere sbe now resides. 



70 HAERISOX, MAINE. 

HOWAED FAMILY. 

The Howards, of this town, were from Bridgewater, 
Mass., and are descended from an English branch, of an 
ancient and distingnished Scottish ancestry. Some doubt 
exists whether the Harrison Howards are descende<l from 
the Howards or Hay wards, as there were famihes of those 
names in Bridgewater, and both were pronounced alilve 
for many generations. Tlie Howards si)elled their names 
'■^Haicard.^^ The christian muneti BarziUa and CJdoe are of 
frequent occurrence in tlie Hay ward family, while I have 
failed to find them in the early family of Haward. Josh- 
ua Howard,* married Susan Alger, and had a son 
Joshua Howard, who was born in Bridgewater, Mass., 
in May, 1773, married Chloe, daughter of Samuel Edson, 
of said town, and settled in Minot, Me., subsequent to 
1798. After a few years he came to Harrison, and set- 
tled on the farm afterwards owned by Dea. James Chad- 
bourne, now the home of Franklin KStauJey. He subse- 
quently moved into a log-house, on what was long known 
as the "Howard Farm," now owned by Jonathan Whit- 
ney. At the time Mr. Howard settled on the latter place, 
the house was without floors, and in the entry was a large 
pine stumi), which his wife and her sister demolished with 
their axes. Mr Howard was a stone-mason, and erected 
some of our county buildings. He died Sept. 19, 1814, 
and his widow, Sept. 21, 1857. The}' had seven children, 
as follows : 
1. Joshua Howard, eldest son of Joshua, was born in 

Bridgewater Mass., ; married Ehza Walker, 

sister of Dea. Charles Walker, Feb. 2L>, 1821, and 

settled in Harrison. He served in the war of 1812. 

He worked as stone-mason and farmer, and died about 

1830, leaving a widow (wlio subsequently, Sept. 9, 1832, 

married David AVoodsum) and tiro children, viz : 

i. Eliza, b. Oct. 29, 1821 ; m. Sanuiel Abbott, (see 
Abbott family) and died in 1875. 

*His widow moved to Harrison and married a Packard. 



HOWAED FAMILY. 



ii. Joshua, b. April 1, 182G ; m. Cluiiiotte, daugh- 
ter of Eplirahn Cook, of Harrison, and settled 
in his native town as a farmer. lie tau<iht 
school in town eigh'^een winters. ]\Ir. Howard 
has been a leading townsman, holding- for many years the 
office of Selectman, and has sat one term in the Legisla- 
ture. He is a practical agriculturalist and looks toward 
improvement in all things. Has issue, fire children, as 
follows : 

1. Henry, b. Dec. 1, 1840 ; m. Delia Smith, of 

Lovell, a widow, and settled as farmer on 
"Buridiani's Hill." He has had two children, 
viz : Birdie and Lottie. 

2. Etta, b. June 27, 1848 ; m. to Dr. Luther Kim- 

ball, of Bridgton. and has issue. 

3. Andrew, b. Aug. G, 1850 ; m. Nellie S. Morton, 

and has issue, one son — Fred A. 

4. Frederick, b. Aug 27, 1854 ; m. Ada, daughter 

of Levi Harmon. (See Harmons.) 

5. Flora, b. July 28, 1857 — unmarried. 

2. Almon, born in 1793 ; married Xabby Brown, settled 

in Waicrford, and was drowned at Bridgton, in 
Feb., 1840, aged 42 years and 5 months. He was 
in the war of 1812. Children as follows : 

i. Julia Ann, b. Feb. 24, 1827 ; m. Gibson. 

ii. Susan M., b. April 3, 1829 ; m. Charles Goodwin. 

iii. William, b. July 23, 1831 ; d. young, 

iv. Edwin, b. ; d. young — unmarried. 

V. Lewis, b. ; d. young — unmarried. 

vi. Almon, b. ; d. — unmarried. 

3. Barzilla, married Lucy True, of Livermore, and 

hves in Bridgton, where he is a stone-mason and 
marble-worker. He has lost one leg. Issue as 
follows : Martha, Page, Sarah, Ellen and another 
daughter. 

4. Susan, b. in 1805 ; d. Jan. 2C, 1831, aged 20. 

5. Elias, b. in 1808 ; m. Ednah Walker, (see Walker fam- 

i\\) Oct. 15, 1832 ; drowned Oct. 20, 1834, aged 
20. 



72 HAREISON, MAIKE. 

6. Edwin, b. in 1811 ; d. Jan. 24, 1833, aged 22. 

7. CnJiOE, b. March 13, 1812; ni. to John Woodsiimy 

Jan. 1, 1834, settled in Harrison, and Las issue. 
(See Woodsum 1^'amily.) 



HOBBS FAMILY. 

A family of English descent. Early settlers of Ber- 
wick and Waterborongh, where the name prevails at the 
present day. Have been prominent citizens wherever 
they resided. MoKRiLL Hobbs came from Waterborongh 
early, and settled where his grandson, Eeuben Hobbs, 
now lives, on the "Hobbs Hill," and cleared a large farm. 
He married Miriam Brackett, and had issue, ten children, 
of whom hereafter. Mr. Hobbs die<l Oct. 20, 182G, aged 
70 years. His widow died April 18, 1830, aged 78 years. 
They were buried in the F. W. Baptist Cemetery. Chil- 
dren : 

1. Reuben Hobbs, born in Waterboro' ; married in the 

East, and died somewhere in the British Provin- 
ces. No other information. 

2. Abigail Hobbs, born in Waterboro' ; married Ben- 

jamin Sanborn. 

3. Henry Hobbs, b. in Waterboro' ; came to Harrison 

with his parents"; married Jerusha, daughter of 
Joseph Lakin, (she was born in 171G) of Sebago, 
and settled on the farm now OAvned by Mr. Ingalls, 
a little way above the village, on the Anonymous Pond 
road. He subsequently moved to the south part of the 
town, and located where Benjamin Strout now lives, and 
resi<led there till his death, which occurred Eeb. 18, 1804, 
at the age of 81 years, months and 21 days; lii.s wife 
died Aug. 25, 1850, age<l 04 years. Mr. Hobbs was a car- 
penter and builder. His chil<lr<'u were as follows : 

i. Cynthia, b. May 0, bSOO; m. Knapp, and 

lived at South Bridgton. 



HOBBS FAMILY. 73 

ii. Henry Lewis, b. April 30, 1808; went away 
when young- and is supposed to be dead. 

iii. Jerusha Lakin, b. ]^ov. 29, 181 ; ni. Timothy 
Barker, son of Jonatlian, of Bridgton, Nov. 
10, 1831. 

iv. HuLDAH, b. Jan. 5, 1813 ; ni. Calvin Russell, of 
Harrison — living- with her daughter at the 
village. 

V, Christiana, b. Nov. 7, 1815; m. Saitmel N. 
Wilkius, and lived in Newburyport, Mass. 

vi. Mary, b. June 15, 1819 ; d. nnmarried, Feb. G, 
1869. 

vii. Ira Crocker, b. Jan. 15, 1822 ; d. unmarried, 
Jan. 28, 1848, aged 20 years. 

viii. Benjamin, b. Ang. 2, 1825 ; m. Melissa Ann 
Gould, and died Oct. 17, 1855, leaving two 
children, viz : Ella F. and Annie M. 

ix. Miriam B., b. March 8, 1829 ; m. John Wood- 
well, of Newburyport, Mass. 

X. Morrill, b. in 1831 ; m. Melissa Ann (Gonld) 
Hobbs — his brother Benjamin's widow — went 
to Chicago, Ills., where he now lives, and has 
two children. 

4. Miriam B. Hobbs, born (probably) in Harrison, and 

married Robert Sanborn. 

5. Polly Hobbs, married Samuel Dike. 

5. Susan Hobbs, married Edward Bray, afterwards 
"Deacon Bray," of this town, and died March 28, 
1866, aged 70 years. (See Brays.) 
7. Morrill Hobbs, Jr., b. Feb. 8, 1794 ; married Bet- 
sey, daughter of Nathan Carsley, of this town, 
July 4, 1820, and settled on the homestead of his 
father, where he continued till his death, which 
took place July 31, 1829. Mr. Hobbs was an honest, u]»- 
right man, and lived respected ; he embraced religion a 
few months before he died and passed away triumjihantly. 
His widow died Dec. 13, 1872, and was buried by the side 
of her husband in the F. W. Baptist Cemetery ; their 
children were as follows : 



74 HARRISOI^, MAINE. 

i. Reuben, b. Aug. 50, 1821 ; m. Mary D., daugh- 
ter of Buekiioll Scribner, (she was I). Aug. 25, 
1S22) March 8, 1842, and settled on tlie liome- 
stead of his father, on the "Hobbs Hill," and 
has continued to resi<le there. Mr. Hobbs is a public 
s[)irited man, and has served as Selectnum and Deputy 
Sheriff — the latter for many years. He is an excellent 
singer, and has been a choir-leader for many years. His 
children were as follows : Morrill B., b. June 5, 1843, d. 
Oct. 15, 18G7, and JSfancy D., b. June 20, 184G— now living 
at home. 

ii. William, b. Jan. 20, 1823; m. Eliza Ann Skil- 
lings, of this town, and for some years resided 
at Bolster's Mills, where (having learned the 
trade of tanner and shoe-maker, A^ith Worthy 
(J. Barrows) he carried on shoe-making. His house was 
nearly opposite that of Isaac Stewart. Mr. Hobbs, sub- 
sequently emigrated to Ripon, Wis., and afterwards to 
Russell, Kansas, where he now resides, and has a daugh- 
ter Elizahetli, who married and lives at Oskosh, Kansas, 
iii. Benjamin, b. Ang. 21, 1824 ; d. Aug. 31, 1825. 
iv. Betsey C, b. July 15, 1820 ; d. May 18, 1848. 

8. Charlotte Hobbs, born in Harrison or Waterboro' ; 

married Benjamin MacAllister, Dec. 20, 1820. 

9. John Hobbs, married Joan Whitemore, and settled 

in this town, nearly opposite of the Charles Thorns 

place ; he afterwards went to the town of Shirley, 

near Moose-head Lake, and lived there until his 

death. His children were, Morrill, who married and 

lived in Shirley, and Colby, who die<l unmarried. Mr. 

Hobl)s was a farmer. 

10. Sally Hobbs, married Shepherd Sawyer. 



HASKELL FAMILY. 

The Haskells were originally resident in Freeport. 
Enoch Haskell married Mehitable Sweat, of Corham, 
and settled near Little Falls, in Windham. They came 



HASKELL FAMILY. 75 

to Harrison about 1812, and settled near Bolster's Mills ; 
the old house has been torn down. Mr. Haskell was 94 
years old when he died. His wife died in 1849. William 
Haskell, who onee lived where Mr. Setli Keen subse- 
quently lived, was a relative. Enoch Haskell had issue, 
as follows : 

1. Daniel Haskell, born Feb. 17, 1805 ; married Phebe 

Hicks, and settled in the north part of the town. 
He had issue : 
i. LoviNA H., b. Nov. 9, 1838 ; d. 
ii. William M., b. May 28, 1841 ; d. 
iii. Geokge a., b. Dec. 1, 1844 ; m. and lives at 

home, 
iv. Hattie E., b. July 4, 1847 ; m. Erastus, son of 

Marques D. Casw^ell, of Harrison, 
v. Edwin L., b. Aug. 26, 1849 ; m. 

2. William Haskell, married Hannah Lamb, of Har- 

rison, May 29, 1830, settled in the north i)art of the 
town, as a farmer, and had issue, as follows : 

i. Appleton, b. Nov. 4, 1837. 

ii. Almeda E., b. June 0, 1843. 

3. Enoch Haskell, married Mary Caswell, June 29, 

1833, settled in Harrison as a farmer, and had 
issue. 

4. Slvieon Haskell, married Polly Harmon, Dec. 22, 

1820, settled in Harrison, and had issue, Otis, 
Lydia and Henry. 

5. Thomas Haskell, married Arminta Caswell, settled 

in the north part of the town, as a farmer and 
painter. He has been a lover of the chase, and 
for many winters followed hunting and trapping. 
No children. 

6. Dorcas Ann Haskell, daughter of Enoch, 1st, mar- 

ried Zebina Caswell, of Harrison, Sept. 22, 1822. 

7. Patience Haskell, sister to the preceding, married 

Moses Moody, Nov. 20, 1825, and 2ndly, Columbus 
Soule. 



76 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

8. Margaret Haskell, sister to the precediug, mar- 
ried to Ora Hicks, Oct. 21), 1834. Lived and died 
in Harrison. 



HARMON FAMILY. 

The Harmons were from Sanford, York County, and 
were among the first settlers in this town ; there were 
three families in town, but one was in no way connected 
with the other two, as will be seen hereafter. jSTephtali 
Harmon, son of Samuel, came into town between 1797 
and 17!*1), purchased a large tract of land of one Moffatf, 
and settled at what has since been known as "Harmon's 
Corner." Mr. Harmon was active in all matters pertain- 
ing to town polity, and was looked upon as one of the 
"fathers of the town." He was commissioned, by Gov- 
ernor Caleb Strong, to a Lieutenancy in the 5th Massa- 
chusetts regiment, Sei)t. 20, 1803, and confirmed as Cap- 
tain in the same department, August 13, 1805. His first 
dwelling-house was built on the south-west side of the 
road, just at the road-corners ; here he had a black-smith's 
shop, and cairied on business simultaneously, with his 
extensive farming and lumbering operations. Mr. Har- 
mon unirried Mehitable, daughter of Ilufus Harmon, of 
Wells — his cousin — about the year 1788. He was born 
September 15, 1704, and his wife Oct. 8, 1708. Capt. 
Harmon died Feb. 20, 1811, and his body rests by the side 
of his wife, in the "Old Willard buryiugground," near 
where X. Harmon Burnham now lives. They had chil- 
dren ar follows : 

1. Lender Harmon, son of Neiditali, was born in 
Sanford, May 27, 1700 ; married Lydia, daughter 
of Uaniel Witham, (see Witliam family) and set- 
tled on what has since been known as "Harmon's 
liidge," in Harrison. He was an extensive land owner 
and larmer, and, like his brothers, an excellent singer. 
Mr. Harmon married, 2ndly, Nov. 10, 1859, Avesta Dear- 



HAEMON FAMILY. 77 

born. ]\rr. Harmon's children, all by his first wife, were 
as follows : 

i. Mehitable, m. to Tasker Seavy, and had issue. 

ii. Sally, m. Hill, of Harrison, and had issue. 

iii. Nathaniel, ni. and lived on the farm adjoining 
Dea. Setli Carsley's, since owned by Haskell 
Kneeland. He afterwards lived on his fiither's 
homestead until his death. Mr. Harmon had 
issue, as follows : 

1 . Henry, b. Dec. 4, 1841 ; m, Nellie Richardson, 

of Nai)les, and for som-e years lived on the old 
homestead, but subsequently sold to his brother 
aiul removed to a large farm in Eaymond, 
where he now lives. He has issue — Harry L., 
Lotma, Belle, and Bertram. 

2. Charles, b. May 13, 3845; m. Hattie E. Went- 

worth, daughter of Benjamin Wentworth, of 
Naples ; lives on the homestead, and has issue, 
Caddie May. 

3. Edward B. b. ; unmarried. 

4. Emery D., b. Dec. 26, 18G0 ; unmarried. 

2. William Powers Harmon, second son of Nephtali, 
was born in Sanford, Ai)ril 9, 1794 ; married Sally, 
daughter of Samuel Scribner, (see Scribner family) 
and settled in Harrison. He early embraced re- 
ligion, united with the Calvinist Baptist church, of 
which he was clerk from 1827 to 1855, and deacon from 
1829 until his death. Deacon Harmon was highly re- 
spected for his honesty, uin-ightness and sincere piety ; 
was one of the best of neighbors, and one whose woi'd 
and judgment could be relied upon. He si)ent thirty 
winters in the logging-swamp, and was considered an ex- 
cellent teamster. Like all of his family, he was a sweet 
singer, and for many years was a membei- of the Baptist 
choir, in his town, Mr. Harmon married Mrs. Julia 
Whitemore for his second wife, and died Feb. 23, 1873, 
leaving her a widow with one child, namely, Alma C, 
who was born Feb. 9, 1858 ; married Augustus Kneeland, 
of Harrison, in 1876, and has issue. 



78 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

3. Harrison Gray Otis Harmon, third sou of Xepli- 

tali, was born in Harrison, May 2, 1799 ; married 
kSusan, daughter of Solomon Bray, of Harrison, 
(see'Bray family) and settled in Monsou, Me., as a 
farmer. Mr. Harmon died Xo^'. 23, 1872, leaving 
issue, two children, viz : 

i. Sumner B., b. in Monson ; m. to Hannah Scrib- 
ner, and lives in Monson — no issue. 

ii. Mary D., who married Andrew Cushman. 

4. Walter Powers Harmon, fourth son of Nephtali, 

was born in Harrison, Oct. 20, 1807 ; married Han- 
nah, daughter of Solomon Bray, (she was born 
April 1(5, 1809) April 4, 1830, aiid settled in his 
native town. He lemoved east and remained out of town 
for several years, but subsequently returned and settled 
near his father's homestead, where he carried on a farm 
until the death of his wife, since when, having- sold his 
farm, he has lived with his sou at the village. Mr. Har- 
mon has long been identitied with the Baptist church, in 
town, and is a genial, social man. Had issue, as follows: 

i. Levi B., b. Dec. 10, 1831 ; m. Lydia, (hiughter of 
Simeon Haskell, resides at the village, is a 
wire- worker by occu])atiou, and has issue, as 
follows : 

1. Ada p., b. Jan. 11, 1858 ; m. to Frederick How- 

ard. (See Howard family.) 

2. Jennie A., b. Sept. 3, 1802.*^ 

3. Ei\nLY A., b. Jan, 4, 18«)4. 

4. Sarah F., b. Feb. 19, 1870. 

ii. Sumner, b. in Harrison, Nov. 17, 183G; m. Em- 
ma J. Huff, of New York, and has issue, one 
child, namely: Fleta, b. Oct. 7, 1807. 

iii. Sarah S., b. in Harrison, Aug. 15, 184G 5 m. to 
Lincoln Walker, and d. in 1870. 

5. Nancy Harmon, eldest daughter of Nephtali, was 

born in Sanford, June 10, 1792 ; married to Wil- 
liam Hayford, of Hartford, and d. June 18, 1851. 



HARMON FAMILY. 79 

Sarah Powers Harmon, second daughter of Neph- 
tali, was born in Harrison, Nov. 3, 1801 ; m. Sam- 
uel Seribner, of Waterborough, and d. April 18, 
1846. 

Deborah Chadbourne Harmon, third daughter of 
Nephtali, was born in Harrison, Jan. 6, 1805; mar- 
ried Levi Burnham, (see Burnham family) June 8, 
1824, and died May 30, 1868, leaving issue. 



HAKMON FAMILY, No. 2. 

Another family of Harmons came into town soon after 
the preceding one, namely : Nephtali Harmon, son of 
RuFUS Harmon, of Sanford, and who was a brother to 
Capt. Xephtali Harmon's wife ; and to distinguish the 
two townsmen of the same name (they were cousins) one 
was called Captain (and by some "big ISTep",) and the 
other "little Nep." On the family ])apers the latter was 
designated "Junior." Nephtali Harmon, 2nd, married 
Polly Xason, of Sanford, (sister to the father of the two 
ministers in the Christian connection) and settled where 
Jonas Cummings subsequently lived, the farm now owned 
by George Cummings, about two miles south from "Har- 
mon's Corners," and adjoining the first clearing made in 
town, namely, John Carsley's. Mr. Harmon and wife 
have been dead many years. They hiXiX fourteen children, 
as follows : 

1. Samuel Harmon, eldest son of Nephtali, 2nd, was 
born in Sanford, Sept. 12, 1701; married Eunice, a 
sister of John and Zebulon Johnson, and settled in Har- 
rison ; he resided in various places in town. He was a 
most singularly constituted man, sarcastic to an extreme, 
and possessed of remarkable descriptive powers. His 
stories — unreasonable as they were — had all the vivid- 
ness of romance, and ^\all not soon be forgotten l)y those 
who knew him. He once came home intoxicated, and so 



80 HARRISOIf, MAINE, 

rich tliat lie thought they imist have a new set of cooking 
utensils, antl taking the kettles to the door, threw them 
over the house by the bails. He was once away from 
home with another man, and lost his neck-comforter. He 
su^jposed his companion liad stolen it, so secured the ser- 
vices of a sheriff and made ready for legal proceedings^ 
but the next morning found the lost article in his boot-leg,, 
where it lodged after passing down his pantaloons. Mr. 
Harmon died on the town-farm, in 1870. His wife prede- 
ceased him. They had issue, yire children, as follows : 
i. David, eldest son, went to California, and has 

not been heard from since, 
ii. Ira C, second son, settled in Springfield, Me. 
iii. Samuel F., twin to Ira, settled in Springfield, 
Me. 

iv. John, m. Robinson, and lives at Great 

Falls, N. H. 

V. Harriet J., m. Holt, and lives in Boston^ 

Mass. 
L'. John Harmon, second sou of Nephtali, 2nd, was 
born in Sanford, in 1793 ; married Mary Turner, 
and settled in Han-ison, and had several places of 
abode ; usually worked on the land, and died at 
the house of Mr. Otis Haskell, iu 1808. His wife prede- 
ceased him. They had six children, as follows : 

i. Simeon F., eldest son of John, was born Sept. 

18, 1818 ; m. Abby, daughter of Joseph Edson, 

and settled in Harrison as a farmer. He has 

children, as follows : Austin, Ella and Alvin. 

ii. Susan W., eldest daughter of John, was b. 

Nov. 10, 1822. 
iii, John Allen, second son of John, was b. Jan. 
10,1824; married . I oanna Cobb, and had tico 
children, viz : Etta, who m. Almon Thompson, 
and Emma, now living in the family of Thorns 
Ingalls. Mrs. Harmon has long been in- 
sane, 
iv. Eliza P., second daughter of John, was b. Nov. 
10, 1827. 



HARMON^ FAMILY. 81 

V. Abby F., third daughter of John, was b. I^ov. 

8, 1830. 
vi. Maby Ann, fourth daughter of John, was b. 

in 183(3. 

3. Gee Hakmon, third sou of I^ephtali, 2nd, was born 

in Sanford, in 1795, and settled in Harrison, on the 
"Pond Road," where he now lives, and from where 
he may frequently be seen driving his "old trot- 
ter," fishing on the lines as he jogs along, his tall hat 
pulled well down over his eyes. He claims to be a JJni- 
versaller and will probably die in the faith. No children. 

4. RuFus Harmon, fourth sou of Nephtali, 2nd, was 

b. in Harrison, in 1800, and died young. 

5. Allen Habmon, fifth son of Nephtali, 2nd, went 

to Minnesota many years ago, 

6. William Habmon, sixth son of Nephtali, 2nd, died 

when young — unmarried. 

7. Nephtali Harmon, Jr., seventh son of Nephtali, 

2nd, was killed l)y a horse in isTew Hampshire. 

8. Betsey Harmon, eldest daughter ot Is'epbtali, 2iid, 

married Stiles, and died in Harrison. 

9. Susan Harmon, second daughter of jSTephtali, 2nd, 

married Daniel Whitney, of Harrison, in 1815— 
dead. 

10. Lucy Harmon, daughter of li^ephtali, 2ud, married 

Almon Lewis, May 4, 1828. 

11. Harriet Harmon, daughter of ISTephtali, 2nd, mar- 

ried Getchell, and lived in Aroostook county. 

12. Joanna Harmon, daughter of Nephtali, 2nd, mar- 

ried Hall, and lived in Waterborough. 

13. Polly Harmon, daughter of Nephtali, 2nd, married 

Simeon Haskell, Dec. 20, 1820, in Harrison. 

14. Pelena Harmon, daughter of I^ephtali, 2nd, is 

thought to have died unmarried. 



Note. — Israel Hannon was in Harrison early. William Hamion, the Musi- 
cian; Asa, the Shoe-maker; Isi-ael, late of AViudham; Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. 
Dodge, were of another descent. 



82 HARRISON, MAINE. 

INGALLS FAMILY. 

They were descended from au old family in Andover, 
Mass., and were early settlers in the town of Bridgton. 
Isaiah Ingalls came to Bridgton in 1779, and by two 
wives had a large family. Stephen Ingalls, eldest son 
of the preceding, was born in Andover, Feb. 28, 1778, 
married a Kilbonrn, (sister to Cai^t. William Kilbonru, 
sometime of Harrison) and settled on the Pond Road, near 
the homestead of Col. Amos Thoms. I am not provided 
with full particulars relating to this family. 
1, Ezra Thoms Ingalls, settled on the old homestead, 
and is now living. Mr. Ingalls has been Selectman 
of his town, is a prominent member of the Metho- 
dist church and Justice of the Peace, a highly re- 
S]>ected and worthy citizen, and prosperous farmer. 
His children, so far as known, were as follows : 
i. Hon. Melville E., who is a Rail Road official, 

residing in Cincinnati, Ohio, also a lawyer, 
ii. Richard M., a physician, in East Boston, Mass. 
iii. Pascal, a physician, in Boston, Mass., — dead. 



ANOTHEE FAMILY. 

Spofford Ingalls, son of Asa and Patience Ingalls, 
was born in Bridgton, July 7, 1770 ; married Lydia, 

, (who died March 150, 1847) and had children 

as follows : He afterwards came to Harrison, mar- 
ried Sophronia Witliam, June 25, 1818, and located 
near where the old Witham house now stands, in 
the east part of the town, 
i. Davis L., b. Nov. 13, 1823. 
ii. Sarah J., b. April 12, 1825. 
iii. Theodore, b. Aug. 20, 1827, now living on the 
stage-road, about one-half mile from Harrison 
village — a farmer. 
iv. Aaron H., b. Eeb. 21, 1829 ; lives at So. Bridg- 
ton. 



JOHNSON FAIVIILY. 83 

V. Lucy M., b. May 28, 1833 ; d. Aug. 14, 1834. 

vi. Charles H., b. May 7, 1830. 

vii. Egbert M., b. Sept 24, 1838. 
Mr. IngalLs had a daughter Sophronia by his second wife. 
He married, ordly, Tamson Witham, a sister of his second 
wife. He lived to be old. (See Witham family.) 



JOHNSON FAMILY. 

The Harrison Johnsons are descended from John John- 
son, who lived near "Fort Hill" in Gorham ; he married 
Eleanor Trickey, then of Westbrook, and had issue, seven 
children, viz: — David, Zebulon, John, Susan, Rebeccay 
Eunice and Mary, of whom more hereafter. 
1- David Johnson, married Harriet Gilky, (sister of 
Josex)h Gilky who married his sister Mary) and 
settled in Harrison, with another brother, on the 
Zebulon Johnson place (so called) but aftewards 
moved to other i^arts. 
2. John Johnson, better known as Jack, was born in 
Gorham, Me., Feb. Sth, 1792 ; married Mehitable, 
daughter of George and Lydia Thoms, of Gor- 
ham, (she was born Dec. 7, 1792) and sister of the 
late Col. Thoms, of Hariison, April 1(3, 1823, and settled 
on the hill, near the pine grove, above Major Emerson's. 
He purchased of Daniel Moody, in 1823, fifty atues of 
land that said Moody purchased of John Davis (or Lewis 
— the name on the old deed is indistinct) being the east- 
erly part of Lot No. 10, IJange 2 ; also fifteen acres that 
Moody had of "Emerson and Kilbourn," being the wester- 
ly end of Lot 9, in Range 1. There were buildings on 
this land when Johnson purchased — an old "double 
house" — situated a few rods back of the present 

Note. — In the winters of 1806 and 7 there were twenty-seven scholars attend- 
ing school in tlistrict No. 1, Bridgton, bearing the name of Ingalls — all of one 
generation — brothers, sisters and cousins. See Cram's Address. 



84 HARRISOX, MALN^E. 

house, and uear the old orchard. There was also a house 
(perhai)s a log-house) iu what is uow Jobu Johnson's pas- 
ture, the foundation of which is quite distinct; who li red 
there I know not — some say Sanborn, who subsequently 
lived on land now in Mr. Thorns' pasture. Mr. Johnson 
was a good farmer, and like most corjmlent men, very 
eccentric and merry. He delighted in sports, and will 
not be soon forgotten by the younger generations, to 
whom he related his curious anecdotes. In his latter 
years his mind became somewhat impaired. He died in 
his own house, when under the care of his eldest son who 
succeeded to the estate, having had issue. Jive children, as 
follows : 

i. Susan, daughter of John, 2nd, was b. in Harri- 
son, Sept. 23rd, 1823— dead. 
ii. Berthia J., daughter of John, 2nd, was b. in 

Harrison, Xov. 6, 1825 — dead, 
iii. John, Jr., was b. in Harrison, Dec. 23, 1827 ; m. 
Lovica, daughter of LeAvis Rogers, of Casco, 
Feb. 21tli, 1850, and resides upon the home- 
stead i)lace of his father. Mr. Johnson carries 
on a large and productive farm, and is much interested 
in raising improved stock. He preserves as family relics 
a silver brooch and two pairs of silver sleeve buttons, 
(they are very antique and curiously engraved) that were 
formerly the property of his grandfather, also, nine very 
small silver si)oons, six of which are marked G. T. L., 
{George and Lydia Thoms) and three marked L. T., (Lydia 
Thoms) all of which once belonged to his grandparents 
on the maternal side. He has been several years deacon 
of the "Christian Church" in his town — has had issue, 
tico children, as follows : 

1. Xellie M., daughter of John, 3rd, was b. in 

Harrison, July 31, 1858 — unmarried. 

2. G, Irving, sou of John, 3rd, was b. in Harrison, 

July 21, 1865. 
iv. David, son of John 2nd, was b. in Harrison, 
Oct. 2*.>, 1820; some twenty-two years ago 



JOHNSON FAMILY. 85 

went to California, where lie owns an extensive ranche. 
v. Susan J., daughter of John, 2nd, was b. in Har- 
rison, April 10, 1832 ; m. to Joseph B. Hatha- 
way, and is resident in California. 
3. Zebulon Johnson, a son of John, was born in Gor- 
ham about July 1, 1787 ; married Nancy, daughter 
of George and Lydia Thorns, of Gorham, (a sister 
of his brother John's wife) Sept. 5, 1822, and set- 
tled upon land bordering on Long Pond, and where he 
now lives, (the oldest man in town — I think) under the 
care of his children. He was quite an extensive, hard 
working farmer, a man of "iron" constitution and indom- 
itable energy. He once ''treed" a bear-cub near his home 
and while a neighbor kept the old one away with a hand- 
spike, he climbed the tree and knocked the cub on the 
liead ; he said that the cub would cry "marm" as plain as 
a child, when he struck him with the club. Mr. Jolmson 
(whose wife died Sept. 15th, 1873, aged 74 years,) had 
issue, eiglit children, as follows : 

i. Mary, daughter of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in Har- 
rison, June 28, 1822 — dead, 
ii. Egbert, son of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in Harri- 
son, July 17, 1823 ; m. Martha Farnhani and 
has long been in Boston, Mass. ; he is a super- 
intendent of the South Boston horse rail-road. 
He has exerted a strong jiolitical influence in his district, 
and was chosen State Senator, by a large majority, a few 
years since. He married 2ndly, Amanda Simonds. He 
has had issue, three children, viz : Martha F., Cora B. 
and Jennie M. 

iii. Lydia E., daughter of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in 

Harrison, Sept. 25, 1825 — living at home, 
iv. Cyrus C, son of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in Harri- 
son, March 13, 1828 ; married Almira Sylves- 
ter, of Bridgton ; settled in his native town, 
near his birthplace, is a farmer and market- 
man, and engaged quite extensively in trading- 
stock — has no issue. 



86 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

V. Francis M., son of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in 
Harrison, Feb. 15, 1830 ; married Helen Clark 
and settled in Eastern Maine. 

xi. Mary E,, danghter of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in 
Harrison, July 24, 1832 ; d. Aug. 18, 1832. 

vii. William R., son of Zebulon, 3rd, was b. in 
Harrison, June 24, 1834 ; in. Frances Edwards, 
settled on the Lomestead of bis father, and has 
been largely engaged in trading horses, and 
marketing, until within a few years, when his 
health has been precarious. He has no chil- 
dren. 

viii. John M. B., youngest son of Zebulon, 3rd, was 
b. in Harrison, May 21, 1837 ; he early left 
home and has been in business in Boston sev- 
eral years — is unmarried. 

4. Susan Johnson, was born in Gorham, married to 

Timothy Ayer, of N^a]>les, Oct. 14, 1830. Mr. Ayer's 
first wife was a Merrill, of Buxton, York Co., and 
sister to Pattie Merrill, who married to Thomas 
Eidlon, Sr., of Hollis, in said county ; also sister of the 
mother of Eev. William W. Bryant, late of Kennebunk- 
port, and also sister of the mother of Eobert Wentworth, 
Esq., late of Buxton. 

5. Mary Johnson, was born in Gorham, Maine ; mar- 

ried to Joseph Gilky, of Harrison, and had issue. 

6. Rebecca Johnson, was born in Gorham ; married 

to Lewis Hanscomb, of Harrison. 

7. Eunice Johnson, was born in Gorham ; married to 

Samuel Harmon, of Harrison — yes, she was twice 
married to him — and had issue. 



KNEELAND FAMILY. 

Kneel AND is an Irish surnanu^, and the family are 
numerously represented in Great Britain at the present 
day. The ancestors of the New England families, Philip 



KNEELAKD FAMILY. 



and Edward, came from Topstield, Essex Co., Mass., 
(the latter towu was named for the one iu England) where 
many of the name were afterwards born. The brothers 
came here for religious liberty. Aa.bon Kneeland, son 
of Philip, was born in Topsfield,iu the year IT-iO, married 
Hannah Eamsdell — of Scottish descent — and settled in 
Harrison, Cumberland Co., Me., in 180S. He was brother 
of David Kneeland who settled in Bridgton, and who 
subsequently moved to Otisfteld, where his sous, Asa and 
Epliraim also lived. Mr. Kneeland located on the farm 
now owned by James Whitney, near that formerly owned 
l)y Thomas Cnmmiugs, who had been an old neighbor of 
Kueeland's. He died Oct. 4, 1833, aged 84 ; his widow 
died June 10, 1814, aged 88 ; their children, all born iu 
Mass., were as follows : 

1. Daniel Kneeland, born Oct. 23, 1771, lived in Ips- 

wich, Mass., had a daugliter married Joseph An- 
drews, of Harrison. Died May 23, 1801. 

2. Aaron Kneeland, born June 27, 1770; married 

Lucy Hobbs, of Topslield, Mass., and lived there. 
Died Dec. 0, 1854. 

3. Mary Kneeland, born March 24, 1778 ; married 

George Hobbs, brother to Lucy, before mentioned. 
Died July 1, 1800. 

4. John Kneeland, born Xov. 28, 1780 ; married Rhoda 

Hobbs, of Topsfleld — resided there, and died June 
23, 1855. 

5. Moses Kneeland, born Nov. 10, 1782 ; married 

Priscilla Peabody (relative of the London banker) 
and settled in tlie field back of the present farm- 
house of Mr. jSTeedham. He died March 17, 1838, 
aged 50 years. Mr. Kneeland had a large family, 
and many of his descendants are now living in 
Harrison and adjoining towns, but I have no rec- 
ords. 

6. Ezra Kneeland, born Oct. 0, 1784 ; married Polly 

and settled in this town. He subsequently 

went to the eastward, thence to Albany, where he 
died May 30, 1808, aged 83 years. Some of his 



88 HARRISON, MAINE. 

children and descendants are now living in the ad- 
joining towns, but I have no records. 

7. Nehemiah Kneeland, born i^'eb. 24, 1787 ; died in 

infancy. 

8. Nehem:iah Kneeland, born May 5, 1781) ; married 

Polly Goodhue, and lived ten years in this town. 

He went to Lincoln and lived there eight years ; 

thence with his family and all his effects, drawn 
by an ox-team, he went into the woods where Topsfield 
now is, and commenced a farm. "With his sons he built 
lumber-mills, and secured an incorporation, named for 
his birth-place in Mass., and of his ancestors in England. 
He lived to see his children — five sons and two daugh- 
ters — married and settled about him, and his town a pop- 
ulous and flourishing communit}'. He died June 28, 1867, 
aged 79 years. 

9. Asa Ivneeland, born Jan. 20, 1791 ; married Sally 

Kneeland, (a second cousin) and lived several years 
in Harrison. He afterwards moved East and died 
there. No further infoimation. 

10. Simeon Kneeland, born Feb. 25, 1793 ; married 

Hannah, daughter of Elijah Richardson, of Water- 
ford, and settled in this town, where Perry Russell 
now lives. He lived in several places ; died Jan. 
1, 1873 ; his widow died Sept. 23, 1870 ; their chil- 
dren, as follows : 
i. Daniel, b. July 27, 1820; m. Mary E., daughter 
of John Kneeland, (his uncle) and had Xfary, 
O.syooil, Esther, Osborn^ Harriet, Emily, Aman-' 
da, Charles H., and Freeman. 
ii. Charlotte, b. Oct. 21, 1821 ; m. Charles An- 
gler, and 2ndly, George H. Hamblin, of Water- 
ford, where she lives, 
iii. Esther R., b. Jan. 29, 1823 ; m. Otis Bean, and 

lives iu Worcester, Mass. 
iv. Oliver P., b. Sept., 1821; dead, 
v. Oliver P., b. Aug. 11, 1825 ; m. Francis Bar- 
ker, of Stoneham, settled in Waterford, and 



KJ^EELAXD FAMILY. 89 

has issue, Zenas, Mia — and by 2ii(l wife, Caro- 
line Ricliardson, of Denmark, Sidney 0., Cora 
and Lillian. 

vi. Elizabeth E., b. Sept. 23, 1829 ; m. J. Wales 
Brown, of Worcester, Mass. 

vii. Thomas F., b. Feb. 1, 1831 ; m. Jane S. Hamb- 
lin, daughter of Joshua, of Lovell, and had 
issue, Herbert 0., Albert 8. and Delano B. 

viii. Haskell P., b. Oct. 14, 1832; m. Marietta 
Seavy, of Harrison, and lived several years in 
his native town — now in Bridgton, and has one 
daughtei', Mertie. 

ix. George H., b. July 10, 1835; m. Jane Brown, 
Aug. 20, 1803; lived with the parents, and 
now in this town. Issue, George E. 

X. Greenfield B., b. July 30, 1838 ; m. Mary 
Whitney, of Worcester — has Harry and Fred- 
erick O. 

xi. Charles W., b. Aug. 20, 1811 ; m. Eliza Gris- 

well, of Conn., in 1871, and lives at Bridgton. 

Issue, Lillie J. and Florence L. 

11. David P. Kneeland, b. May 21, 1798 ; m. Mercy, 

daughtei- of James Watson, of JBarrison, Jan. 21, 

1817, and settled in town. Mr. Kneeland has lived 

on several farms here, and is now living with his 

son-in-law, Asa Whitney, on the Pond Koad, and 

is the only surviving child of his father. Children 

as follows : 

i. Almon, b. June 23, 1817 ; m. Dorcas Sands, (her 
mother was Sarah Ridlon, of Limerick) and 
lives at the village — keeps the "Elm House." 
Children as follows : Amelia Jf., b. June 10, 
1842, m. Sherburn Ricker ; David P., b. Aug. 

21, 1840, m. , and has issue — Orlando J.., 

b. Feb. 8, 1849, and Evans, b. Jan. 9, 1851. 

ii. Seth, b. Jan. 24, 1820 ; m. Mary Jane, daughter 
of Simeon Whitney, March 28, 1853, settled 
near where his grandfather settled, and has 
issue, Silas and Walter. 



90 HAERISON, MAINE. 

KILBOUM FAMILY. 

Capt. William Kilbourn, supposed to be a son of 
Jolm, one of the early settlers of Bridgton, was settled 
at the south part of the town quite early — ^lived between 
Henry Bnck's and where Thomas Lakin now lives ; the 
house has long since been demolished, bnt there are some 
ai)i)Ie-trees near, and the cellar remains. Capt. Kilbourn 
subsequently moved to Bridgton, and lived to a good old 
age. He married twice; the first wife was Ehzabeth 
Senter, and the second Haimah Martin, of Bridgton ; she 
died in 1875. Capt. Kilbourn's children, born in this 
tov/n, were as follows : 

1. Helena, born April 8, 1805; died unmarried. 

2. Enos L., born Jan. 30, 1808 ; married Rhoda Shaw, 

of Standish, and afterwards committed suicide. 

3. Thomas D,, born June 18, 1810 ; married a Rich- 

ardson, and is now living in Sweden. 

4. Jacob V., born Aug. 4, 1812 ; married Esther H., 

daughter of Rev. Joseph Phiuney, of Harrison, 
Nov. 13, 1845. 

5. William T., born Dec. 20, 1814 ; died Nov. 22, 1818. 

6. Jesse G., born May 8, 1817. 

7. William T., born May 17, 1819 ; married a daugh- 

ter of Benjamin Walker, of Bridgton, and is in 
business in Portland, Me. 

8. Samuel F., born June 3, 1821 ; married Mary, 

daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Stroiit, of Casco, set- 
tled in Bridgton, and has issue, three children. 

9. Eliza A., born Feb. 25, 1824 ; married Theophilus 

Towne, and resided in Lawrence, Mass. 

10. Deborah S., born April 21, 1826 ; died March 25, 

1829. 

11. Benjamin F. born April 20, 1828; died Aug. 15, 

1828. 

12. Deborah S., born July 25, 1829 ; died Aug. 20, 1829. 

Note.— This family is said to be related to the Farnsworth family of Bridgton. 
A genealogy of the family may be Ibund in the rooms of the Historic Genealog- 
ical Society, noston, Mass. 



LAKIN FAMILY. 91 



LAKIN FAMILY. 

Joseph Lakin came from Grotoii, Mass., and settled in 
Sebag'o. Several of his family settled in this town and 
their descendants are nnmeronsly rei)resented here at the 
present time. Mr. Lakin married twice — his first wife 
was Polly Simonds, the second a widow Cole, whose hus- 
band had been frozen to death. His children were as 
follows : 

1. Jonathan Lakin, born in Massachusetts, married 
Jane Loring-, settled in Harrison and became an 
independent farmer. Mr. Lakin served in several 
town oflices, lived respected, and reached the age 
of 92 years, dying in 1872. He had issue as fol- 
lows : 
i. John, b. July 15, 180G ; m. Charlotte, daughter 
of Daniel Witham, (see Witham family) set- 
tled in the south part of the town as a iWrmer, 
and had issue as follows : 

1. Ambrose, b. in 1839 ; m. , now at Harrison 

village. 

2. Randall, b. Sept. 2, 1841. 

3. George A., b. July 27, 1846. 

4. Annie M., b. Sept. 30, 1847. 

5. Emily, b. . 

ii. Loring, b. Jan. 24, 1808 ; m. Sophia H. Adams, 
of Sebago, July 10, 1843, and settled near his 
birth-place, his father's homestead, as a farmer. 
Mr. Lakin hved with Judge Fitche, in Port- 
land, when young-. No children. 

iii. Thomas P., b. April 12, 1814; m. Lsabel M. 
Ridlon, daughter of William Eidlon, of Sebago; 
settled in the south part of the town as a 
farmer, and has issue, as follows : 

1. Aliveeda, b. April 4, 1848; m. John Wentworth, 

black-smith, and has issue. 

2. Ezekiel, b. Feb. 10, 1850 ; unmarried. 

3. JosiAH S., b. xUig. 28, 1852 ; unmarried. 



92 HAERISOX, MAINE. 

4. James, b. Dec. 28, 1855 ; unmarried. 

5. Clara, b, May 11, 1858 ; unmarried. 
C. Annie, b. Aug. 18, 18G1 ; unmarried. 

7. George, b. June 26, 1807. 

8. Bradford, b. in 1873. 

iv, George W., b. Marcli 29, 181G ; m. Statira Clark, 
settled in the West, and became quite distin- 
guished. He had issue, as follows : Fannie, 
Mildred and Charles. 

V. EzEKiEL, b. April 27, 1820 ; d. unmarried, 1840. 

vi. Charles H., b. Dec. 10, 1824; m. Virene Mer- 
row, of Harrison, and settled on the homestead 
I)lace ; he subsequently, however, moved to a 
farm some distance south, near the "Willough- 
by Scribner Place," but is now living two miles 
from the village. No children. 

\\\. Jane, b. Feb. 3, 1810 ; m. Capt. James Eoss, of 
•Harrison, and had issue. (See Ross family.) 

viii. Jerusha, b. March 25, 1812 — a maiden lady. 

ix. Elizabeth A., b. April 18, 1818 ; married. 

X. Susan, b. ; a maiden lady. 

2. Parker Lakin, born in Sebago ; married a daugh- 

ter of Dean Irish, of Bridgtou, and had issue, as 
follows : Louisa, Mary, George, Frederick and 
Edward. 

3. George, born in Sebago ; married Philena , and 

settled on the Brackett Woodsum place, at the 
head of Anonymous Pond, as mason, carpenter 
and farmer. He has a son, Willie, and two children 
whose names do not appear. 

4. Frederick, born in Sebago ; married Emily H. 

Buruham, (see Burnham family) and emigrated 
West. He has jirospered in his farming opera- 
tions. No issue. 

5. Jerusha, daughter of Joseph Lakin, of Sebago, mar- 

ried Henry Hobbs, of Harrison. (See Hobbs fam- 
ily.) 



LEWIS FAMILY. 93 



LAMB FAMILY. 

Robert Lamb, married a daughter of Simeon Cas- 
well (see Caswell Family) aud settled iu Harrison. I am 
not informed relative to the ancestry of this family ; 
hare requested records but they do not appear. The 
widow of Mr. Lamb is now living- with her son, Porter- 
field Lamb, who has represented his town in the Legis- 
lature of the State, and is a very worthy townsman. 
He has several children living in town. Mr. Lamb is. 
cousin to the Lamb brothers who lived in the south part 
of the town. 



LEWIS FAMILY. 

This family is descended from an old Welsh stock. 
The name in Wales is spelt Lleivis. Many branches have 
scattered through Scotland, England and the Isle of 
Man, as well as through the United States and British 
Provinces. The Lewis tamily of this town was directly 
descended from William Lewis, who came from Wales, 
to Boston, Mass., in 1630, through Isaac, whose son Isaac 
had a sou Aft/yV'/', "^'ho settled iu Buxton, York County, 
Maine. The latter had a large family, among whom were 
Thomas^ who lived sometime near Bonny Eagle Village, 
in Hollis, and afterwards settled in Clinton, Me., where 
he died leading a numerous descent ; Ebenezer, wiio (as 
also Thomas) was a preacher, and lived in Clinton, where 
his descendants now live ; Samuel, a preacher who some- 
time lived in Harrison, on the Pond Road, nearly oppo- 
site of Asa Whitney's present house, where he cultivated 
a farm, and Ahijah, who married Betsey Eldridge, of 
Buxton, Feb. 24, 1785, and settled at the south part of 
the town. Mr. Lewis had a large family, some of whom 
lived in this town. 

1. Abijah Lewis, son of Abijah last named, married a 
Boston, of Hiram — descended from an ancient 
family iu York, Me. — and settled at the south part 
of the town, in what was afterwards known as 



94 HARRISON, MAINE. 

the "Lewis Neighborhood." Mr. Lewis was a good sing- 
er, and h^ng a member of the F. W. B. church. He was 
a quiet, honest man, and good townsman. He and wife 
have not been long dead ; his chiklreu were as follows : 
i, Edward, who died after serving in the late war. 
ii. George, who is now living in Biddeford — has 

issue, 
iii. Henry, who m. Elizabeth Jordan, and is uow 

living in Biddeford — has children, 
iv. Royal, who has a family ; lives in Bridgton. 
V. Clara, who married in Bridgton or Harrison, 
vi. Maria, who m. to Thomas H. Jordan, and lives 

in Lewiston. 
vii. Harriet, a maiden lady, living with Marshall 
Cram, in Brunswick. 

viii. Mary, who m. Littlefield, in Bridgton. 

ix. Jennie, now with Harriet at Mr. Cram's. 
2. Edward Lewis, son of Abijah, 2nd, and brother of 
Abijali, 3rd, married a Boston (sister to wife of 
^ Abijah) of Hiram, and settled in the "Lewis Neigh- 
° borijood," as a farmer. He and wife have long 
been dead ; they had several children, viz : 
i. Edward, Jr., m. a daughter of Amasa Sylves- 
ter, of Bridgton, and lived in the "Lewis 
Neighborhood." Several children. 

ii. HosEA, m. Julia B. Jordon, daughter of 

Thomas, of Naples, April 6, 1851. He lived 
in Harrison some years, and moved thence to 
Biddeford, where he now lives. His wife died 
in 1870. Several children. 



Samuel Lewis, who lived on the "Pond Road," married 
Phebe, daughter of Gen. Irish, of Gorham, and 
moved from Harrison to Si)ringtleld. He had a son 
AlmoUj who married Lucy Harmon, May 4, 1828, and 
William T., who married Abigail Newcomb, Nov. 15, 
1824. 



LOWELL FAMILY. 95 

Marriages in Harrison : — William Cox and Mary 
Lewis, Jnue 17, 1817. Levi Watsou and Hannah 
Lewis, April 21, 1825. Al.ial Scribner and Polly 
Lewis, Dec. 22, 1828. Abraham Gray and Mary 
Le\ris, June 27, 1841. Perez Bryant and Nancy 
Lewis, Aug. 16, 1846. Maria, wife of Charles Lewis, 
died here March 24, 1847. 



LOWELL FAMILY. 

The Lowells of Harrison are descended from John 
Lowell, who married Mary Chatman, and lived in West- 
brook, Me. The name was originally '■'•LowleP John, 
as above, lived awhile in Harrison, but died in the fanu- 
ly of his son James, in Windham. 

1. Edward Lowell, eldest son of John, came to this 
town very early, and his name is found associated 
with the first settlers, in town business. Mr. Low- 
ell married Martha Lamb, of Otisfield, (sister to 
Porterfield Lamb's father) and located near "Caswell's 
Corner," in the north-east part of the town. He was in 
town at its incorporation, and probably several years 
previously — was in several i)Ositions of responsibility. 
He died in 18 — , and was buried near his home. His 
children were as follows : 

i. John, b. in Harrison, in 1801 ; m. Eliza Brack- 
ett, of Harrison, Jan. 27, 1824, settled in Ma- 
son, and had issue — Ahhy^ Ira, Greenfield, 
Charles, EUhu and others, seven in all. ]Mr. 
Lowell is dead, 
ii. Edward, b. in Harrison, in 18 — ; m. Sally Edes, 
of Otisfield, Jan. 27, 1829 ; lived in the latter 
town, and had/owr children, 
iii. Simon, b. in Harrison, in 18 — ; m. Ann Robin- 
son ; lived near "Caswell's Corner ;" was a 
farmer ; weighed over 200 lbs., and fell dead 
with heart-disease, while watering his horse, 
in 1871 ; his widow now Mving. Their children 
were as follows : 



96 hareiso:n^, MAmE. 

1. Nelson, b. Jan. 24, 1827. 

2. Emery E., b. Feb. 4, 1829. 

3. Mary M., b. Oct. 15, 1831. 

4. EosANNA, 1). April 16, 1837. 

5. Frances E., b. Oct. 30, 1839. 

6. Elizabeth D., b. July 20, 1842. 

iv. George, b. in 18 — ; m. Lncinda Inman, went 
eastward, and reared a family — now dead. 

V. Martha Ann, m. John Brackett, of Harrison, 
Jan. 13, 1828 — now living. 

vi. James, m. Eliza Lambert, of Otisfield, settled 
near "Caswell's Corner," and carried on a farm. 
He married, 2ndly, Elizabeth (Lowell) McKen- 
ney, his own cousin, and falling dead with 
heart-disease, in 1870, left her a widow. Mr. 
Lowell was a very large, corpulent man, weigh- 
ing about 250 lbs. His children, all by his 
first wife, were : 

1. LuciNDA, m. Albert Caswell. 

2. Hermon, m. Rebecca Elden, and lives on the 

homestead. 

3. Hannah. 

4. Willie. 

vii, Marshaj.l, lived in Kennebunk, 
viii. Hannah, m. Joseph Brackett, of Harrison, 
ix. Catharine, never married. 
2. Simon Lowell, son of John, married Sarah Mead, 
of Bridgton, and lived in that town two years; 
thence moved to Harrison, where he resided 
three years ; thence moved to Brunswick, 
where he lived 21 years ; thence to Springfield, where he 
resided six years, and died at the age of 02 years. Mrs. 
Lowell died at the age of 57 ; they had nine children, 
namely : 

i. Charles, m, Susan Lewis, of Springfiehl, and 
had issue, Lovina, Simon, Sarah, Charles, 
George, William, Elizaheth, Susan, Samuel and 
Augusta. 



NEWGOMB— NEAL FAMILIES. 97 

ii. Thomas M., m. Judith Harmoa, of SpriugfieW ; 
settled in Carroll, was a miller and farmer, ami 
had issue, Jane^ Simon, Elizabeth and Thomas. 

iii. Sophia, died when au iufant. 

iv. Jambs, died when an infant. 

V. Susan, m. William Douglas, of Lee. 

vi. Simon, died young. 

vii. Jane, m. William Lothrop, of Carroll, Me. 

viii. John M., m. Mary Jackson, of Lee ; is a farm- 
er, and has issue, Ellen, John, Mary, Clara, 
Jane, Edward H., Elizabeth, and others. 

ix. Elizabeth, m. Cyrus McKenney, and 2ndly, 
James Lowell, of Harrison, her cousin. 

3. James Lowell, son of John, 1st, married Mercy 

Hawkes, lives in Windham, and has three children. 

4. Alexander Lowell, son of John, 1st, a roving- 

character, died in Springfield, Me. 

5. William Loavell, son of John, 1st ; married. 

6. Jane Lo^vell, daughter of t^ohn, 1st ; married Eben- 

ezer Small. 

7. Mary Lowell, daughter of John, 1st ; never married. 



NEWOOMB FAMILY. 

The ancestors of this family were early settled in Bux- 
ton and Gorham. John Newcomb was the ancestor di- 
rect of the Harrison families. The name is frequently 
spelt Newcomen on old records. They were not in town 
early. As a complete Genealogical History has been i)ub- 
lished of this numerous people, I shall not give particu- 
lars. 



NEAL FAMILY. 

The Neals are all of Irish extraction. Where the 
family came from that settled in this town I do not know ; 



98 HARRISON, MAINE. 

tliey were here very early, and their names are among the 
first on the records of births. 

John Neal lived on the top of the "Dawes Hill," above 
tlie village ; the buildings were on the north side of the 
road, in the small field now owned by Marshall Thorns, 
but nearly every indication of a residence has disap- 
peared. The barn was purchased by Philip Caswell and 
moved to where Edward K. Whitney now resides. Mrs. 
Xeal Avas called "Elizabeth Neal, Jr.," on the records. 
Xo descendant of the family is living in town, and but 
few statistics can be given. Mr. Xeal was noted foi' his 
"Irish wit," and many singidar stories relating to his ec- 
centricities are still told. He had children as follows : 

1. Jaimes, Jr., b. in Harrison, Dec. 2G, 1803. 

2. Eunice Carsley, b. in Harrison, April 30, 1806. 

3. Mary, b. in Harrison, March 15, 1808. 



PAOKAKD FAMILIES. 

The Packards were originally from Bridgewater, Mass., 
but many families settled early in Maine. The records 
are so meagre, and nearly all connected having moved 
awaj^, I have failed to bring together any connected ped- 
igree of the several -families that lived in this toAvn, or to 
prove the relationship between them. I give what I have 
found. 

1. Jonathan Packard, born in Bridgewater, Mass.; 

probabl}- settled in Minot. He married Susan 

(Algier) Howard, and subsequently moved into 

this town, where he died Aug. 30, 1825, aged 76 

years ; his wife predeceased him July 18, 1821. Mr. 

Packard is said to have lived in a log-house, between 

Dea. Charles Walker's and the old Howard place. 

2. Mary Packard, supposed to be of another family, 

was the wife of Cushing Dawes ; she was a sister 
of the father of Henry Packard, the only one of 
the name now living in town. Some say the lath- 
er of Mrs. Dawes once lived in town. 



PITTS FAMILY. 99 



Almon Packard, married Betsey, widow of Morrill 
Hobbs, of this town, Feb. 26,^1832; they had a 
soil, George W.^ born Jan. 8, 1833. 

Elizabeth Packard, daughter of Jonathan, (?) 
married Isaac Watson, Oct. 7, 1822. 



PITTS FAMILY. 

John Pitts came from Waterboro' and settled on the 
north-west side of the "Hobbs Hill." He was probably 
connected vnt\\ the Hobbs family before coming- into town, 
as both came about the same time and from the same 
neighborhood, in their old town. Mr. Pitts was born in 
1730, and died in town in the year 1827, aged 91 years. 
His wife was thought to be a witch. Their children, as 
far as known, were as follows : 

1. SAiMtTEL Pitts, who married Lydia , lived for 

some time on the hill near where Stephen Whitney 
now lives. He had five children, born in town, 
named as follows : 
i. Polly, b. Jan. 15, 1801 ; m. to Seth Carsley, 

2nd, and went West with the family. (See 

Carsley famil5^) 
ii. Joseph, b. March 10, 1801. 
iii. Daniel, b. July 1, 1809 ; m. Rachel Whitney, 

and now lives in Naples, 
iv. Lydia, b, Dec. 5, 1811; m. Stilman Leavitt, 

Feb. 13, 1832. 
V. Samuel, b. Feb. 17, 1818 ; m. Corlista Stuart, 

Nov. 9, 1847, and lives in town. Mr. Pitts has 

four children, viz : George, Silas, Bert and 

Lizzie. 

2. Moses Pitts, a son of John, sometime lived on the 

"Hobbs Hill," near his brother's. He subsequent- 

NOTE.— There were evidently two old men named Packard in this town at an 
early day. Walter Harmon remembers one as old, when he was a boy. Some 
members of the same stock, in tliis State, are distinguished scholars. 



100 HARRISON, MAINE. 

ly moved back to Waterboro' ; was a Calvinist 
preacher, and had several chiklren, named as fol- 
lows : 
i. SiMiEON, who m. Alice Pinkham, and lived in 
Waterboro', Hollis, Scarborough and Naples. 
He had issue, Hittie, Francis, Alice and Ida. 
ii. Luke, who d. when a young man. 
iii. Benjamin, who was a policeman in Portland, 
iv. Nathaniel, who settled on a farm in Waterboro'. 



PHINNEY FAMILY. 

They were puritans from Plymouth Colony. Capt. 
John Phinney was the first settler in Gorham, Me., and 
the father of Col. Edmund Phinney, of Revolutionary 
fame. Edmund Phinney, son of Col. Edmund, married 
in Gorham, and afterwards moved into Harrison; his 
house was some distance back from the road, on the lot 
adjoining Deacon Carsley's, since owned by Haskell 
Kneeland. The Phinney house is demolished. Mr. Phin- 
ney died Jan. 18, 1S28, aged 07 ; his widow, Sarah, Feb. 
15, 1833, aged 72 years — were hurried in the F. W. B. 
ground. His sons that lived here were as follows : 
1. Rev. Clement Phinney, who married Joanna Wal- 
lace, was a noted Evangelist of the F. W. Baptist 
denomination — the first preacher of that order in 
town. He built the house now owned by Henry 
Buck, near the Methodist meeting-house, and reared a 
large family ; he died at his daughter's in Portland, when 
quite advanced in years. Children : 

i. Stephen, m. and lived in Raymond, Me. 

ii. Decker, have no particulars. 

iii. Mary A., m. Thomas Foster, of Harrison, June 

8, 1828— long since deceased, 
iv. Eliza, m. Rice Rowell, 

Note.— TluTc wove families in Otisfleld bearing the name of Pitts, supposed 
to have bt'fii clistanlly connected; also iu Fairfleld, Somerset Co., Maine. They 
were originally from Ma.ss. 



PHINNEY FAMILY. 101 

V. Martha, m. Plummer, of Raymond. 

vi. Hannah, m. MacAllister, of Portland, mer- 
chant. 

vii. Almira, m. Sims. 

viii. Sarah, m. Leach, of Casco. 

ix. Abigail, no acconnt. 

2. Rev. Joseph Phinney, was born in Gorham ; mar- 

ried Sally WTiituey, of his native town, and settled 
in this town. He preached several years ; was 
very nnlike his brother — eccentric, rough and loud- 
spoken — who was gentle, and a great singer. He be- 
came somewhat deranged in latter years, and died about 
1870. I think his widow is still living ; their children 
were as follows : 

i. Esther, b. July 10, 1813 ; m. Jacob Kilbourn, of 

Waterford, Nov. 13, 1845, and had issue, 
ii. Jane B., b. Dec. 9, 1816 ; m. Amos Libby, (the 
carpenter) and had issue. Died Nov. 10, 1872. 
iii. Nancy G., b. March 24, 1819; m. Oliver P. 

Haskell, of Windham, May 25, 1841. 
iv. Sarah H., b. Oct. 16, 1821 ; d. unmarried— 

probably. 
V. Andrew R., b. June 22, 1824 ; d. unmarried in 
1848. 

3. Thomas Phinney, born in Gorham, Me., May 5, 1799 ; 

married Sally Woodward, of Gorham, Me., and 
settled in this town, near "Hall's Corner," on the 
road that leads to "Stuart's Corner." He was a 
prominent and influential citizen, a man of eminent piety 
and honesty of character ; served as Selectman, and in 
several responsible capacities in his town. He had issue 
as follows : 

i. WiNSLOW H., b. May 7, 1824; d. July 31, 1848. 
ii. Emily C, b. Jan. 7, 1825; d. Jan. 31, 1828. 
iii. Emily C, b. July 6, 1828 ; d. Jan. 18, 1836. 

iv. Samuel W., b. Dec. 15, 1831 ; m. Mary and 

settled on the homestead of his ftither, but has 
lived in Bridgton several years. He has issue, 
several children. 



102 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

V. Mart H., b. March 14, 1837 ; m. Perry Russell, 
and lived in town — d. in 1875. 
4. Edmund Phinney, Jr., brother of Elders Clement 
and Joseph, married Eliza Woodward, of Gor- 
ham, Me., and was once a resident in town, near 
the John Stanley place, but I can learn no partic- 
ulars concerning him or his family. • 



PLAISTED FAMILY. 

Joseph Plaistbd was probably descended from the 
old family that settled in York, York County, some of 
whom figured in the Indian troubles. He married Eunice, 
daughter of George Thoms, of Gorham, (sister of Col. 
Amos Thoms, late of this to^\^l, ) and settled on the hill, 
in the south part of the town, since known as the "Plais- 
ted Hill." Children as follows : 

1. Harriet C, b. Oct. 12, 1823 ; m. Jonathan Fogg, 

son of Moses, of Harrison, Dec. 8, 1844. 

2. Eliza, b. Oct. 22, 1825 ; m. Edward Hall, of Naples, 

sou of Joseph, and lives at Edes' Falls. 

3. Sumner S., b. March 10, 1831 ; now in Boston, Mass. 



PEIROE FAMILY. 

They are descended from an old family from Groton, 
and WatertoAvn, Mass. George Peirce, Esq., was the 
Proprietors' Agent for Otistield, and settled at "Peirce'-s 
Falls," now known as "Edes' Falls, as early as 1708. (!) 
He was a man of business parts and a good penman. 
His son, Oliver Peirce, settled in Harrison, where 
All)ert Gray now lives, and was for many years a iirom- 
inent man in town. He was born in 1702, came to Otis- 
tield when a small boy, married Sukey Haskell, of Gor- 
ham, and settled on one of the "twin lots," where Albert 



PEIRCE FAMILY. 103 

Gray now lives. Mr. Peirce acquired a large fund of in- 
formation by intercourse with learned men, and became 
a practical and useful man. He was a Land Surveyor, 
Justice of the Peace, Representative when the Legisla- 
ture convened iu Boston, and acted a prominent part 
in all matters of polity. He represented his town in the 
State Legislature when it sat at Portland, and afterwards 
at Augusta. He was a Master Mason and Knight Temp- 
lar. Mr. Peirce died Jan. 5, 1849, aged 81 years. His 
wife died Aug. 26, 1849, aged 74 years. Mr. Peirce had 
a brother Levi, who was drowned at Edes' Falls ; a sister 
Molly who married Willoughby Scribner, of Harrison ; 
and a sister who married Benjamin Patch. Mr. Peirce 
had issue, as follows : 

1. Mary, born Sept. 10, 1797 ; married Shepherd 

Hawkes, of Minot; settled iu Harrison, where 
Newell Trafton now lives, aud is now a widow in 
Oshkosh, Wis. 

2. George, Esq., born July 2, 1799 ; married Caroline, 

a daughter of "Old Doctor Farusworth," of Bridg 
ton, and settled in this town. He was Adjutan 
and Brigade Quartermaster in the old Militia ; Jus- 
tice of the Peace over forty years. Coroner five years. 
Governor's Councilman in 1827-8, Representative in 1801 
and Senator iu 1805-0. He was Land Surveyor, and was 
employed as agent for the firm of "Haven & Treadwell," 
of Portsmouth, N. H., as lumberman on the Kennebec, 
aud Penobscot ri\'ers for thirty-six years, and during that 
time had charge of all matters pertaining to the township 
of Dummer, iu N. ^I. He was engaged in lumbering oi>- 
eratious on Crooked River, in Waterford, transporting his . 
manufactures to Portland, by canal-boats ; he also car- 
ried on lumbering business iu Gorham, Me., in 1828-9. 
Mr. Peirce is now a resident of Harrison village, living 
in a fine house, erected by him in 1834 — a man widely 
known, highly respected as a gentleman, christian and 
citizen. No children. 

3. Deborah, bom Aug. 8, 1801 ; married Henry Robie, 

of Harrison, and died many years ago. 



104 HARBISON, MAINE. 

4. Haskell, bom Sept. 28, 1803 ; married Beula, 

daughter of Dr, Burnell, and lived in town. He 
was Colonel in the Militia, Representative in 
1837-8, and subsequently became insane. He died 
leaving' two children: — Maria, who died young^ 
and Oynis H., now a jeweler in Boston, Mass. 

5. Oliver, born May 2, 1810 — died young. 

6. Benjamin F.. bom May 10, 1813 ; married Abby, 

daughter of Nathaniel Burnham (see Buridiam 
family) and had issue, Frederick B., born April 1, 

1841 ; Hester A., born Jan. 11, 1843, married 

Greeley, in California ; and Robert 0., born Jan. 5, 
1845. 

7. Thomas T., born Sept. 5, 1817 ; married Lydia Jane 

Pratt, of Portland, and for many years lived in 
town. He emigTated to Lynd, Lion Co., Minn., 
many years ago, and perished by cold when fol- 
lowing a line of traps, dimng the winter of 1875. His 
children as follows : Henry L., born Nov, 4, 1842 ; Par- 
ker I., born Nov. 17, 1844, and George, born Feb. 5, 1846. 



PEKLEY FAMILY. 

Samuel Perley, came from Groton, Mass., and settled 
in Harrison, at an early day — settled on the east si<le of 
the " Scribner Hill," as a farmer. He was a cousin to 
Enoch Perley, of Bridgton, and descended from a dis- 
tinguished old English family, some of whom canu> very 
early to New England, Mr. I'erley married Abigail Lewis, 
and had a large family, of whom liereafter ; he died Sept. 
10, 1828, aged 61 years ; his wife died in 1848, aged 74 
years ; they were buried near his lesidence. Children : 

Note. — John Peiire, the anoostor of this family, a weaver, came fi-om Nor- 
folk, Norfolk Co., Englaurl, to Watcrtown, Mass., ill 1637. His son, Anthony, 
had Joseph , wYio had .hist'p.'i , who U;\i\ Oeorge, who was father of Qeorfje, who 
heads the Otislield mill Harrison I'aiiiilies. There are numeroua. (lesceudants 
living in New England. This family have spelled the name Peirce — the c before 
the i— instead of Fierce. They have been eminently represented andwell allied 
in marriage in each generation. 



PERLEY FAMILY. 105 

1. Samuel Perley, Jr., born in 1799 ; died unmarried, 

Sept. 22, 1823, aged 24 years. 

2. David L. Perley, born Oct. 24, 1S07 ; married 

Sephronia, danghter of Enoch Spurr, of Otisfield, 
in 1835 ; settled on the homstead farm, and had 
children as follows : — William 8., born Oct. 30, 
1830 ; Kattie F, born Aug. 21, 1838, maiTied Luther 
Blake, of Harrison ; Osboni, born in 1842 ; died 
young ; and Ellen A., born May 10, 1848, and died 

young. 

3. Isaac Perley, born March 1, 1810 ; married Cath- 

erine Fowler — daughter of David, and sister of 
John, the well-known stage-driver — settled on the 
east side of " Scribner Hill," near his brother's, as 
a farmer, and had Maranrla, born July 9, 1841, 
and died young; and David F., born July 1, 1844 ; 
married Annie, daughter of David Scribner, and 
lives at home. 

4. Luther L. Perley, born June 28, 1813 ; marrieil 

Sarah A. Potter, of Ipswich, Mas8.,*in 1851, and 
lived on the opposite side of the road near his 
brother Isaac. He married 2ndly, Maria C. Vin- 
ing, in 1850; children: Osborn P., born July 15, 
1852, now in Mass. ; and Emma M., born in 1857, 
who married Asa F. Howe, of Rowley, Mass. Mr. 
Perley died in 1859, aged 45 years. 

5. William Perley, born June 0, 1810 ; married Lois, 

daughter of William Brackett, of Harrison, Dec. 
22, 1842, and liv^ed on the stage-road, near 
" Brackett's Corner " ; subsequently sold to Lem- 
uel Davis, and moved to Bridgton Centre ; his 
children were : — Oeorge P., born Sept. 7, 1844, and 
Charles 0., born Xov. 4, 1848 ; these sons are now 
in the hardware trade at Bridgton Centre village. 

6. Abigail Perley, daughter of Samuel, born Oct. 20, 

1790 ; married 1st, Elijah Potter, (brother of Dea. 
and Capt. Potter) of Bridgton ; aiid 2udly, Mar- 
ques D. Caswell, of Harrison. 



108 HAERISON, MAINE. 

7. Rhoda Perley, daughter of Samuel, boru in 1805 ; 
married Fuller A. Smith, of Bridgtou, July 22, 
1847. 



EUSSELL FAMILY. 

RusSELLE is a French surname, early brought into Eng- 
land, where the family has long been disiinguished ; many 
very eminent cadets, as parliamentarians, authors and sol- 
diers, having cast a halo over the whole family. There 
were several representatives of the family-name who 
came early to New England. I am not acquainted with 
the ancestry of John Russell, who, viith wife Hannah, 
were early residents of this town. Names of their chil- 
dren, as found on the town records, as follows : 

1. Nancy, born Nov. 30, 1810. 

2. Alphonso, born Dec. 29, 1812 ; married a sister of 

Rev. Mr. Eaton, (descended from an old family in 
Salisbury, Mass.) who once preached in town, and 
settled here as a farmer. He now lives in Otis- 
field. Several children, among whom are, Sarah 
and Emma. 

3. Calvin, born Feb. 25, 1815 ; married Huldah, daugh- 

ter of Henry Hobbs, of Harrison, and settled in 
the south part of the town, on the farm now owned 
by Mr. Strout. His widow is now living in the 
village with her daughter Emma. Mr. Russell died 
some years ago. 

4. Sally, born Sept. 9, 1818. 



EOSS FAMILY. 

Ross is a freuch surname, (i.e., was first adopted in 
France,) but was known in Roxburghshire, Scotland, as 

Note.— There were other daughters of Samuel Perley that died young, and 
unmarried. 



SCRIBNEE FAMILY. 107 

early as A. D. 1100 ; since then they have been widely 
scattered through Scotlaud and England. I trace this 
family only to Shapleigh. Jonathan Ross, son of 
Jonathan, came from the latter town and settled in this 
town very early — on the Edes' Falls road, where the 
" old Eoss house " now stands. Mr. Eoss married Polly 
Goodwin ; he and his Avife died at the age of 84, and were 
burried in the F. W. B. burying ground. Children : 

1. Joanna, married Benjamin Holden, of Sweden. 

2. Jonathan, died unmarried. 

3. Capt. J ajies, born Oct., 1806, married Jane, daughter 

of Jonathan Lakin, of Harrison, and 2ndly, Mary 

A. Smith. Mr. Eoss hvesou the Pond Eoad, near 

the old Johnson homestead. Children : 

• i. Adelia, married Thomas Baker, of Waterford. 

ii. Francis M., married to Henry Packard, of 

Harrison, 
iii. Orin, died when a boy. 
iv. Etta, married to Alphonso Morton, of Harrison. 

4. Betsey, married Jonathan Shaw, of Standish ; and 

2ndly, Henry Pendexter, of Bridgton. 

5. Saiviuel G., married Phebe Clemmons, and died on 

the homestead. 

6. Joseph P., married Elvira Snow, of Cornish, or 

Hiram, and had issue : Orin and Abby. Lives in 
Harrison. 

7. Sally P., married Joel Mason, of Standish, April 

18, 1843, and lives in Eaymond. 



SOKIBNEE FAMILY. 

Several persons bearing the name were in New Eng- 
land as early as 1040. The surname is from the Latin 
word scribere, to write, and was originally spelled Scrive- 
nor in its Englicised orthography. The Otisfield and 
Harrison Scribners were all of one line, and came from 
Waterborough, Me., as early (some of them) as 1707. 
Edward Scribner, 1st, came from the latter town and 



108 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

settled in Otisfield, where he lived to be 105 years old. 
He was father of several sous that settled iu Otisfield, 
and of one who settled in Harrison. 

I.Samuel Screbner, who settled on what has since 
been called "Scribner's Hill," was a nephew of the 
first Edward, of Otisfield. He married Hannah 

, and had eight children, as follows : 

i. Sally, b. Feb. 7, 1708 ; m. William Harmon, of 

Harrison, July 5, 1818. (See Willard family.) 

ii. BucKNELL, b. xipril 11, 1799; m. Nancy Dawes, 

of Harrison, (see Dawes family) Oct. 11, 1826. 

He moved to Lewiston and reared a family — a 

daughter, Sarah B.-, d. in Harrison, April 25, 

1814. 

iii. Mary, b. Nov. 25, 1800 ; m. James Chadbourue,* 

of Harrison, (see Chadbourue family) March 

26, 1818 ; lived in Waterford, and had issue. 

iv. Lucy B., b., Nov. 23, 1802 ; m. Foster Cum- 

mings, of Harrison. 
V. Edward, b. Feb. 11, 1800 ; d. March 1, 1806. 
* vi. Samuel, b. Feb. 11, 1806 ; twin to Edward ; m. 
Betsey Spurr, of Otisfield, Sept. 22, 1830 ; set- 
tled in Le^viston, and had a family, as follows : 

1. Cyrus Edward, b. Jan. 24, 1831. 

2. Ann Longley, b. April 3, 1833; d. April 19, 

1844. 

3. Margaret, d. Dec. 27, 1847, aged 3 years. 

vii. Maria B., b. Jan. 8, 1810 ; m. John Caldwell, 

of Paris, June 3, 1829. 
viii. David, born Jan. 18, 1820 ; died in Harrison. 
2. Col. Ebenezer H. Scribner, was born in Water- 
boro' about the year 1775; came to Harrison, 
then Otisfield, and settled on the west side of 
" Scribuer's Hill," subsequently so-called, about 
1797-8. He married Phebe Kimball, daughter of 
the old land surveyor of Bridgton. He moved to 
Waterford, thence to Raymond, thence to Portland, 
and finally emigrated to the West, where he died. 
He had a son : 



SCRIBNEE FAIVIILY. 109 



Benjamin Kimball, born in Harrison, June 3, 
1811. 



Note. — I find that Udward Scrlhier, Sr., who settled in 
Otisfiekl, had sons, Edicard, Jr., Joseph, John, Willongh- 
by and Simon. Daniel Scrihner, a suijposed relative, mar- 
ried Sarah Goodale, and came to Otislield in 1799. Ed- 

icard, Jr., married Sarah Moody. Joneph married 

Dockum. Simon married Abigail Gerrish. The late 
Deacon Elijah Scribner, was a son of Daniel, and married 
Dorathy Pii^er ; Cyrus, their son, was born Aug. 12, 1824 ; 
married Hannah Prince, Ang. 12, 186G. Edtvard, Jr., 
before mentioned, had sons Clement, Daniel and Joseph ; 
the two first are now living in town, Capt. Daniel Scrib- 
ner, of another family, was in Otisfiekl as early as 1802 ; 
he had three sons, viz : Joseph, who lived in Otisfield 
and Gilead ; Daniel, married Hannah Sampson and went 
eastward ; Nathaniel married Mary Smith, of Otisfield ; 
his daughters are, 1st, the wife of Elder Joseph Wight, 
of Harrison; 2nd, widow Susan Cobb, of Otisfield. Reu- 
ben, son of Nathaniel, is a single man, living in Otisfield. 

John Scribner, son of Edward, Sr., settled with his 
cousin Samuel on the "Scribner Hill," but afterwards 
went west of Crooked River. The late Deacon Elijah 
Scribner was born in Waterboro', Jan. 11, 1800 ; came to 
Otisfield when only five years old, and died Oct. 13, 1876. 



ANOTHEK FAMILY. 

WiLLOuaHBY Scribner, son of Edward, Sr. ; mar- 
ried Molly, a daughter of George Peirce, Esq., of Otis- 
field, and settled on the farm since called the "Lamb 
Place." He died Feb. 27, 1824, aged 51 years ; his widow 
died May 20, 1838, aged 67 years ; they were buried near 
Major Emmerson's, on the "hiU." Children : 
1. Capt. Peirce, born Sept. 11, 1797 ; married Mary 
Springer, daughter of Jonathan, of Harrison, Feb. 



110 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

10, 1824, and died Oct. 8, 1831. His widow died 
April 29, 1870, aged 70 years, Deborah^ daughter 
of Peirce Scribuer, died iu Harrisou, June 10, 1850. 

2. Alvah, boru in 1805 ; married .lane Phinney of Har- 

risou, June 10, 1827, and died Dec. 19, 1862 ; his 
wife predeceased him Oct. 13, 1814, aged 41 years. 

3. Deborah, born in 1809 ; died March 12, 1826. 



ANOTHER FAMILY. 

Edward Scribner, of Waterborough, Me., married 
Molly, a daughter of Joseph and Deborah (Went worth) 
Kicker, and died in March, 1804, ha\ing issue as follows : 

1. David, born 1795 ; married, in 1822, Althea Haviland ; 

she died in Feb. 1843, and he married, 2ndly, a 
widow Whitmore. Children as follows. 

i. Charles, b. in 1823. 

ii. Mary, b. in 1825. 

iii. Albert, b. in 1827. 

iv. Sarah, b. in 1829. 

V. Francis, b. in 1831. 

vi. James, b. in 1833. 

vii. OcTAVA, b. in 1835. 

viii. David, b. in 1837. And two daughters by a 
second wife. 

2. Rebecca, born in 1796 ; died unmarried. 

3. Deborah, born in 1799 ; married Newell Nutting, of 

Otisfield. 

4. Sarah, born in 1801 ; married Benjamin Sanborn, of 

Webster. 

5. Mary, born in 1804. 



STRICKLAND FAMILY. 

Few families can boast of an ancestry more distin- 
guished than the Stricklauds', an ancient house now rep- 
resented in England by Walter Strickland, Esq., of 



STEWART FAMILY. Ill 

Syzenjh Rail, which has been the family-seat for several 
ceutiiries. I have not been abk^ to find where the Harri- 
son family came from. John Strickland, and his wife, 
Eachel, were among the first settlers in town ; they lived 
near the present residence of Heber Kimball, and had 
family as follows : 

1. Otis Strickland, born in Harrison, Aug. 17, 1799. 

2. Salome, born Jan. 10, 1802 ; died Sept. 3, 1804. 

3. Benjamin, born July 1, 1803 ; died Sept. 21, 1804. 

4. Daniel Dudley, born Feb. 10, 1806. 

5. Martin, born iS^ov. 4, 1808. 

6. Hannah, born June 20, 1811. 

Mr. Strickland sold his house to Jonathan Springer. 
He made brick at the village — had second wife, Hannah. 
This family left town when the children were young, as 
there are no records of a marriage of any member. 



STEWART FAMILY. 

The Stewarts are descended from an ancient and dis- 
tinguished historical Scottish family, through an ancestry 
that had settled in Ulster, Ireland ; and the early Maine 
families were among the Scotch-Irish immigrants thatcame 
over in 1718-20. Our Harrison families are immediately 
descended from Capt. Wentworth Stewart, who with his 
wife Susanna (Lombard) came from Truro, Mass., to Gor- 
liam. He was Representative to the General Court of 
Mass. in 1773-4 5 was an oflicer iu the Revolution, and 
died of small-pox, April 17, 1776, at Sewall's Point, near 
Boston. His children were ten in number. 
1. Wentworth Stewart, came from Gorham to this 
town, and married Mercy Hall, April 25, 1814. 
He settled in the north-east part of the town, as a 
farmer ; was a man of considerable force of char- 
■ acter ; served as Justice of the Peace, and iu other 

town-ofiices. He had a family as follows : 
i. Moses, born Nov. 13, 1816 ; died in 1840, un- 
married. 



112 HAEEISON, MAINE. 

ii. Benjamin S., b. Oct. 28, 1818 ; died Sept. 20, 1820. 
iii. Charles E., b. Oct. 9, 1821 ; m. Lydia, daugh- 
ter of William Twouibly, of Harrison, and lives 
in town. Mr. Stewart is an auctioneer and 
pedler; has a daughter named Lelia 21. 
iv. Maria, b. June 5, 1824 ; m. Francis Chute of 

Otisfleld. 
V. Charlotte, b. April 11, 1828; m. Thomas 

Grace, of Casco. 
vi. Laura J., b. July 16, ] 835 ; m. Henry Kilgore, 
of Waterford. 
2. Joseph Stewart, was born in Gorham -, married 
Nancy Lombard, of that town; settled near his 
brother Solomon's in Harrison ; was a farmer and 
wheel-wright, and had issue as follows : 
i. Fannie, who m. Merrill Skillings, Dec. 2, 1824. 
ii. Samuel, who m. Hannah Hall, of Harrison, 
April 17, 1832, and had issue as follows : 

1. Albert H., b. Jan. 4, 1833. 

2. Angeline, b. March 1(5, 1835 ; m. Cyrus Chaplin 

of Naples. 

3. Wentworth, b. March 31, 1837 ; m. Zilphia 

Caswell, of Harrison, and 2ndly, Kate Has- 
kell, of Harrison. 

4. Samltel p., b. Aug. 14, 1842; m. Mehitable 

Waterhouse, of Harrison, 
iii. Joshua, b. March 14, 1811 ; m. Caroline, daugh- 
ter of Asa Hicks ; 2ndly, Lydia Bullen. He 
had issue as follows : 

1. Francis E., b. May 9, 1836. 

2. Abby M., b. Nov. 27, 1837. 

3. Tallot G., b. June 9, 1840. 

4. Menthia C, b. Aug. 18, 1842. 
Greenfield,), .„„ , r\^^ on iqi~ 

WHITEFIELD, } *^^^' ^^ ^^^^ ^^' ^^^^^ 

iv. Abigail, b. May 3, 1813 ; died unmarried. 
V. George E,, m. Mary Ann Sargent, of Otisfield. 
vi. Esther, m. Isaac Bonny, of Otisfield, March 
18, 1838. 



5. 
6. 



STEWART FAMILY. 113 

vii. ACHSA, m. John D. Burbaiik, of Gorham, N.H., 

March 15, 1852. 
\iii. EmLY, m. William Chute, Nov. 21, 1844. 
ix. Francis, m. Abby Bulleii, of Norway, Me. 
X. CoRLiSTA, m. Samuel Pitts, of Naples, Nov. 9, 

3847. 
xi. Amos, m. 1st, Masou, 2udly, Larabee, 

and has issue (f ) 
xii. Lydia G., m. William Brigham, Oct. 15, 1849. 
xiii. Joanna, m. Washinj^tou Chaplin, of Naples. 

3. Solomon Stewart, b. in Gorham ; m. Mercy Hall, 

June 19, 1817 ; settled in the ''Ste^yart Neighbor- 
hood," on land adjoining* that of his brother Joseph's 
as farmer, and had issue, seven children, of whom 
hereafter. When Mr. Stewart was building his house, in 
this town, he brought some glass from Gorham, tied up in 
a handkerchief — making his journey on foot — and when 
within six feet of the door of the house in which the 
glass was to have been set, he stumbled, fell, and broke 
every pane of glass. One may imagine his feelings at 
such a misfortune — a loss not easily repaired. Children : 
i. Mary Ann, m. John Lombard, of Gorham, or 

Otislield. 
ii. Major P., m. Octava, daughter of James Wes- 
ton, of Harrison, settled in town, and has issue, 
Rebecca^ James W.^ and Dana. 
iii. Isaac H., m. Elizabeth Hall, of Chelsea, Mass., 

and had issue, Robert and Ella. 
iv. Hannah, m. Sumner Hancock, of Otisfield ; 

2ndly, Nathan Decker, of Casco. 
V. Joseph Phinney, died young, 
vi. JosEPH,2d., died young. 

vii. Wyatt, T.. m. Lucy Andrews, of Harrison, and 
has issue, two children, namely, Solomon and 
Edith. Mr. Stewart lives on the homestead ol 
his father. 

4. JosiAH Stewart, born in Gorham ; married Miriam 

Eich, of Harrison, (a Gorham family) April 24, 
1825, and settled on the farm formerly owned and 



114 HAERISON, MAINE. 

occupied by Capt. Wentworth Stewart, his brother, 
near " Hall's Corner," in this town. He died in 
1870, having had issue as follows : 

i. Amanda M., b. April 20, 1826. 

ii. Benjamin, b. Xov. 27, 1827 ; m. Ellen, daughter 
of William Haskell, of Harrison, and resides 
on the homestead of his father. 

iii. Clementine, b. Nov. 22, 1829 ; m. 1st, Hayes ; 
2ndly, Samuel Edgerly, and lives in town. 

iv. John W., b. July 7, 1831 ; d. in the army — un- 
married. 

V. JosiAH A., b. March 23, 1833. 

\i. Moses, unmarried — went West. 

vii. Charles, m. Katie Brackett, daughter of Joseph 
Brackett, of Harrison. 

viii. Clara, m. Payson Stanley. 

ix. Eveline, m. Libby, of Paris. 

X. LucRETiA, m. Dunn, of Poland. 

xi. Melvina, m. , of Buxton. 

5. Hannah Stewart, b(>rn in Gorham ; sister of the 

four brothers before mentioned, married Jonathan 
Saunders, of Norway, Feb, 20, 1828. 

6. Susie Stewart, born in Gorham ; sister of the pre- 

ceding, married Francis Mayberry, of Casco. 

7. Achsa Stewart, born in Gorham ; sister of the pre- 

cedijig, married liichard Fogg, of this town. 



SAMPSON FAMILY. 

The Sampsons are of English descent, and the New 
England ancestor came in the " Mayflower " with the 
Pilgrims. 

Jaivies Sampson came from Duxbridge, Mass., to 
Leeds, Me., and afterwards removed to Harrison, about 
the year 180(), coming into town on horse-back. He 
married Jemima Stetson, in Turner, Jan. 12, 1780 ; piir- 
ehased land and erected a log-house where the village 
now is — the Jirst house erected there — near where 



SAMPSOX FAJMILY. 115 

Samuel Hardin's house now stands. Mr. Sampson built 
mills on the stream that now drives the wire-factorj-, and 
carried on blacksmithing- at the same time. He was a 
genuine pioneer, and did much to encourage settlement 
in town ; he died at the age of 89 years ; his wife at the 
age of 72 ; thej' were buried in Otislield. Mr. Sampson 
had issue 7iine children, as follows: 

1. jAiviES Sampson, married 1st, Ruth Stiles, and 2ndly, 

Betsey Prince, and settled in Parkman, Me., where 
he carried on farming, and eventually Avent Repre- 
sentative to the State Legislature. He had several 
children, two of whom were J math an and Aaron. 

2. Reuben Sampson, married Mary Smith, of this town, 

and settled in Worcester, Mass., where he worked 
as a wheelwright and farmer. He died several 
years ago, leaving seven children, viz : Isaac, 
Aaron, Eunice, Deborah, Julia, Harriet, and 2Iary. 

3. Deborah Sampson, married Isaac Watson, of Water- 

ford, Me., and had issue. 

4. Hannah Sampson, married Daniel Scribner, of Otis- 

field, Me., and had issue. 

5. Jemema Sampson, married Aaron Huntress, of Lin- 

coln, Me., and had issue. 

6. Olive Sampson, married Thomas Mains, of Otisfield, 

Me., and had issue. 

7. Alice Sampson, married William Twombly, of Har- 

rison, (Bolster's Mills) and had issue. 

8. AsENATH Sampson, died when young. 

9. Ahira Sampson, born March 4, 1793 ; married Pol- 

ly Stiles, of Bridgton, and settled where AYalker 
& Monroe's store now stands, at Harrison Aillage. 
He carried on black-smithing and milling; was a 
man of great physical powers, and withal, very eccentric. 
He had a peculiar habit of repeating the last word in 
every sentence when talking, "he did, he did," and would 
never ride in a carriage when he could go on foot. He 
once dragged Samuel Harmon through the fire on his 
forge, and then threw him into the road. Mr. Sami)son 
fell, while at work in his mill, near Waterford, in 1809, 



116 HAERISOX, MAINE. 

striking his head upou a ledge ; soon after he became un- 
conscious, and died the third day after, at the age of 77 
years. His wife predeceased him at the age of 63. They 
had seven chiklreu, as follows : 

i. A SENATE, b. Oct. 8, 1813, — a wealthy maideu- 
lady, now living in Worcester, Mass. 

ii. Ruth, b. in 1815 ; d. young. 

iii. Susan, b. Aug, 25, 1818 ; never married. 

iv. Capt. Christopher C. W., b. June 22, 1819 ; 
m. Mary Ann Brown, of Waterford, and set- 
tled in this town, and now resides here. He 
was captain of the tirst steamboat — the 
"Fawn" — that navigated Sebago Lake. He was for 
many years engaged in canal-boating between Harrison 
and Portland, and carried on the lumber business with 
others. He was several years one of the Selectmen of 
the town, and has always been an active, public-spirited 
man. Generous-hearted and full of pity, he always held 
out an open hand to the needy. He had ten of family 
as follows : 

1. Sophia A., b. Sept. 10, 1811 ; m. Charles D. 

Whitemore, of Worcester, Mass., in 1863, and 
d. in this town Dec. 8. 1869, leaving issue. 

2. Mary A., b. Dec. 5, 1842 ; m. Capt. William H. 

Valentine, of Worcester, and has issue. 

3. Charles L., b. Jan. 5, 1815 ; unmarried. 

4. Christopher H., b. Feb. 8, 1847 ; died an inftmt. 

5. Asenath E., b. Nov. 5, 1849 ; unmarried. 

(). S. Nellie, b. July 19, 1851 ; died an infant. 

7. George B., b. March 3, 1853 ; m. Mary J. King, 

of New Hampshire ; lives in Worcester, Mass., 
and has issue. 

8. Abbie C, b. June 21, 1858. 

9. Alice J., b. June 23, 1860. 

Note.— Some of the Sampson family think that Micah Sampson, the grand- 
father of our townsman, Thomas K. Sampson, was a cousin to James, the an- 
cestor of this family. One Michael Sampson marrieil IJetsey House, in Turner, 
June 11, 1791. Query, may not Micah and Michaelhuve been the same person ? 
It is said that Aliira, of Harrison, used to call John Sampson, of Portland, 
Micah's son, "cousin leftenant," 



SPRIXGEEr— STILES FAMILIES. 11^ 

10. Frank H., b. Aug. 12, 1862. 
V. Maria, d. uiiinanied at the age of 40. 
vi. Emeline, m, Daniel Welts, of Mercer, Me. 
\ii. Charles L., died when young. 



SPEINGER FAMILY. 

Jonathan Springer, bought the farm where Heber 
Kimball now lives, of John Strickland — the house was 
built by James Sampson, Jr. — and died in town, Feb. 16, 
1845, aged 77 years, I have not learned particulars rel- 
ative to this family ; the records show that Betsey, daugh- 
ter of Jonathan, died in town when young, and Mary 
married Capt. Peirce Scribner, of this town. 



STILES FAMILY. 

The ancestors of this family were Enoch Stiles and 
Noah Stiles, who came from Andover, Mass., and set- 
tled in Bridgton, in 1771 ; they were twins. Enoch died 
in Bridgton, in 1831, aged 87 years ; hence the brothers 
were born in 1745. Noah Stiles sold his farm in Bridgton 
in 1800, and moved into that part of Otisfield that is now 
in Harrison ; his farm was on No. 12, in Range 8, in the 
north end of the town. His son Stephen settled on lot 
No. 11, adjoining his father's land. Noah Stiles had five 
children, three sons and two daughters, in 1794. Records 
of births will be found in Bridgton. Descendants are 
now living on the homestead farm, in Harrison, viz : — 
Millet Stiles, who married a Wentworth, of Hiram. I 
think he was a son of Jonathan., who married Sally Noble, 
March 1, 1833. See Cramps Historical Address, delivered 
at the dedication of Bridgton Town House. 



118 HAERISOX, MAII^E. 



THOMS FAMILY. 

The Thorns family are descendants of Thomas Thoms, 
through his sons Charles and George. I am not informed 
where Thomas and his wife Mary (they died in Gorham, 
Me., Thomas in 1700 and Mary in 1786,) came from, but 
think they were from okl Plymouth Colony, Massachu- 
setts. George Thoms, born in 1745, married Lydia 
Brown, and had issue, nine children, all born in Gorham 
pre\ious to 1800. Mr. Thoms died in 1821. Chihlren : 

1. Betsey, born in 1779 (?) ; married Joseph Brown, of 

Windham, and settled in that town. 

2. Ezra, born in 1782 (?) ; married and settled in Har- 

rison, Avhere he commenced a farm, and soon after 
died in Gorham. 

3. Mary, born Dec. 20, 1783 ; married Jacob Emerson, 

of Harrison, and died Sept. 30, 1859. 

4. William, born in 1785 ; married SaUy Plaisted, and 

2ndly, her sister Hannah ; lived on the homestead 
in Gorham. 

5. Amos, born Aug. 11, 1789 ; married Abigail F. Hig- 

gins, of Gorham, and settled in this town. He 
was conmiissioiied a Colonel of the Militia ; served 
as Town Clerk, Selectman, and went to the Legis- 
lature as Representative. He was one of the most inde- 
pendent farmers in toNvii, cultivating extensive lands, 
and keeping a large stock of cattle, and employing sev- 
eral men. He died March 21, 1870, aged 81 years. His 
widow survives as one of tlie most aged inhabitants of 
the town. Mr. Thoms had issue. Jive children, as follows : 
i. Ezra, b. May 10, 1810 ; d. Sept. 9, 1833. 
ii. Marshall, b. I'eb. 1(5, 1813 ; married Rachel 
B., Daughter of Daniel Haskell, and settled 
on the homestead. His wife died June 1, 
1840 5 and he married 2ndly, Dorcas, daughter 
of Myrick Paine, of Standish. Mr. Thoms carried on 
extensive farming operations in comjiany with his 
brother, until 1874, when he sold and moved to the vil- 
lage, where he now lives, and cultivates a small field. 



THOMS FAMILY. 119 

He has two daiigliters, viz : Abhie Frances^ born Sept. 11, 
1849 ; married Henry H. Palsifer, and lives in Wayne, 

Me,; and Caroline^ born ; unmarried, and at liome. 

iii. Lydia, b. July 9, 1810 ; d. Dec. 13, 1840 ; un- 
married, 
iv. Alanson M., b. Jan. 10, 1821, and emigrated 

West, where be now lives — unmarried. 
V. Samuel, b. Feb. 20, 1822; married Eosilla, 
daughter of William Cook, of Casco, and lives 
on the homestead farm. Mr. Thoms has ever 
manifested a public sjiirit, and has served as 
Selectman in his town. He bought his brother's part ot 
the farm a few years ago, and is now the most extensive 
farmer and stock-raiser in town ; he has also engaged 
largely in the lumbering business for several winters, and 
has always been an honest, active citizen. IS^o issue, 
vi. Elmira, H., b. Dec. 1, 1828 ; d. April 4, 1840. 

6. Mehitable Thoms, born in Gorham, Me., Dec. 7, 

1792 ; married John Johnson, of Harrison, April 
11, 1823. 

7. Eunice Thoms, born in Gorham, Me., in 1794 ;(?) 

married Joseph Plaisted, of Gorham, and lived in 
town. 

8. Lydia Thoms, born in Gorham, Me., in 1790 ; (?) mar 

ried , of Gorham ; lived in Harrisou. 

9. Nancy Thoms, born in Gorham, Me., in 1798; (?) 

married Zebulon Johnson, of Harrison, Sept. 5, 
1822, (see Johnson family) and died only a short 
time ago. 



ANOTHER FAMILY. 

James Thoms, son of Charles and Anna Gray, of Gor- 
ham, and a cousin of Col. Amos Thoms, before mentioned, 
moved into this town as early as 1800, and located a lit 
tie below the F. W. Baptist meeting-house, where his 
grand-son now lives. Mr. Thoms married Abigail Libby, 
of Gorham, and had issue, three children. Mr. Thoms 



120 HARRISON, MAIKB. 

died several years ago ; his widow is uow living in town^ 
aged 84. Issue as follows : 

1. Charles Thoms, born in Gorham ; married Fannie 

Brown, of Raymond, settled on his father's home- 
stead, and carried on farming and butchering ; he 
lost one leg and died at the age of 47 years, leav- 
ing issue as follows, ^iz : Abbie F., born Sept. 11, 
1849 ; married Henry Robbins ; James, born Feb. 
22, 1855, and Jaicij, born May 18, 1860. 

2. Sarah Thoms, born in Harrison; married 

MacDonald, and lives in Windham. 

3. Ellison Thoms, born in Harrison ; married Melvina, 

daughter of William Bucknell, and lives on a farm 
near William Chadbourne's on the Bolster's Mills 
road. He is a very hard-worker and a good farmer. 
Has one child, viz : Mary H., born Nov., 1809. 



TRAFTON FAMILY. 

Joshua Trafton, of English descent, born in 1785, 
came from York, Me., where the name still prevails, and 
settled on the farm since owned by William Wentworth, 
the blacksmith ; his house stood a little way below the 
present house of George Newcomb, but on the same side 
of the road. After living some years at the latter place, 
he sold and moved to the " Pond Road," where the old 
house uow stands, and i-emained there till his death, 
which occurred in 1869. His first wife, (she was Joanna 
Ross) died in 1851, aged 61 years, and he married, 2ndly, 
Berlinda Packard, who now survives. His children 
were as follows : 
1. Otis Trafton, born Dec. 20, 1807 ; married Eliza 

of Waterford; settled near his father as 

farmer and live-stock dealer ; acquired wealth, and 
has issue as follows : 
i. Henry O., b. Dec. 17, 1835. 
ii. John E., b. March 28, 1838. 



WALKER FAMILY. 121 

iii. Elizabeth M., b. Sept. 16, 1810 ; died Sept. 16, 

1815. 
iv. Algenon H., b. May 17, 1812 ; died Sept. 30, 

1815. 
V. Abby M., b. July 3, 1811 ; married to George 

Neweoinb, aud lives iu Harrison, 
vi. Frances M., b. Dec. 22, 1817. 
vii. James, married a daughter of Smith Chaplin, of 

i!^aples. 

2. Polly Trafton, married John Patch. Aug. 13, 1815. 

3. Ruth Trafton, married Charles Kimball, July 1, 

1838. 

4. Abby B. Trafton, marriiid Lemuel Libby, Oct. 27, 

1817. 
o. Joseph Trafton, lived in town and acquired con- 
siderable property by trading in live stock. He 
lived where his son now lives, on the Shepherd 
Hawkes place. He died several years ago, leaving 
two sons, viz : Newell, who married a daughter 
of Dr. Dunuell's, and lives on the home-place, aud 
a younger brother, who, I believe is now a practic- 
ing physician in some other j)lace. 



WALKER FAMILY. 

A Scottish surname. The family have scattered into 
nearly every land. They are inter-married with the An- 
dreivs aud 0)iebys families, and quarter their arms with 
them in England. The Harrison family are descended 
fi"om Charles Walker, who was born Aug. 15, 1759, 
probably in Berwick or Kittery, and settled in Westbrook 
or Falmouth. He married Eunice Berry, (she was born 
Sept. 25, 1761) Dec. 26, 1782, and had a family of six 
children, some of them born in Westbrook. Mr. Walker 
came to Harrison about 1815, aud settled on the " Walk- 
er Hill " between the village aud " Harmon's Corner." 
He died (his wife predeceased him July 29, 1833) June 
20, 1813, and was buried iu this town. Issue : 



122 HAERISON, MAINE. 

1. Samuel Walker, boru Oct. 8, 1783; married Han- 
nah Hicks, of Westbrook, in 1808, and had issue, 
of whom hereafter. He settled on a farm near 
" Pride's Bridge," subsequently owned by " Zae 
Brackett," and selling, came to this to^vn about 1815-17, 
and purchased land of H. Gray Otis, where C Lincoln 
Walker now lives ; here he established a permanent 
home. He died Sept. 27, 18G7 ; his wife, in 1850. 

i. Charles, eldest son of Samuel, 1st, born Aug. 
4, 1809 ; married Mary H. Hanson, of Hairi- 
son, Nov. 21, 1833, and settled on the home- 
stead of his father ; he had issue, /oMr children, 
and died Feb. 10, 1800. Children : 

1. Charles Lincoln, b. Aug. 3, 1835 ; married, 1st, 

Lydia, daughter of Sawyer, of Madison, 

Me., and 2ndly, Sarah, daughter of Walter P. 
Harmon, of Harrison, who died in 1870, leav- 
ing Mree children, viz: Sidney P. ^ FranTi W. 
and Walter W. — the two last twins. 

2. Emily H., b, Sept. 3, 1837 ; m. Horace Adams, 

and lives in Lynn, Mass. 

3. Albert W., b. Oct. 14, 1840 ; m. Addie Adams, 

of New York, and resides at Worcester, Mass. 
— two children, Alice and Albert. 

4. Caroline P., b. Oct. 14, 1843 ; and m. Freeman 

Dunn, of Harrison, 
ii. William, son of Samuel, 1st, born in Falmouth, 
July 25, 1811 ; m. Berlinda Pjdson, of Harri- 
son, Aug. 13, 1835 ; settled in Harrison, and 
had issue, /bwr children, as follows: 

1. Lucy E., m. Isaiah Spiller, of Casco, or Kaymond. 

2. Adeline, m. Jason Kimball, of Gilead, Me. 

3. Franklin, lives in Waterville — unmarried. 

4. William, m. Eunice, daughter of Benjamin 

Wheeler, of Harrison — resides here, 
iii. George, son of Samuel, 1st, b. in Falmouth, 
Sept. 7, 1813 ; m. Lydia xVnn Libbj', Oct. 25, 
1840; settled in Harrison, and has worked 



WALKER FAMILY. 123 

much on the canal between this town and 
Portland. He had issue, six children, as fol- 
lows: 

1. George W., b. March 12, 1842 — dead. 

2. Julia A., m. Virgil Keniston, of Harrison ; now 

dead. 

3. Albert, b. March 25, 1846; married Ellen 
Woodbury, of Bridgton, and has issue. 

4. Samuel, b. April 9, 1848 ; married Ellen Knee- 
land, of Harrison ; lives here. 

5. Elliot L., b. March 22, 1850 ; m. Brown, of 

Hiram, and has issue. 

6. ZiBAH, unmarried. 

iv. Samuel, son of Samuel, 1st, b. in Westbrook, 
June 10, 1815 ; married Charlotte Twitchell, 
of Bethel, and settled in Harrison. Mr. Walk- 
er served as Town Treasurer, and in other 
offices. He lost one of his legs — was a shoe-maker by 
trade; had issue eight children, and died in 1867 ; he was 
buried at the Aillage. Children : 

1. Algenon S. b. April 12, 1841 ; died unmarried. 

2. Osgood B., b. Dec. 14, 1842; married Addie 

Lamb. 

3. Emeline S., b. Sept. 12, 1844 ; now in Portland. 

4. Frances C, b. Dec. 29, 1846. 

5. John D., b. March 31, 1849 ; d. Jan. 6, 1851. 

6. Clara, li\ing in Amesbury, Mass. ; unmavried. 

7. John E., is married and hving in Portland. 

8. Emma J., married Thomas Mason, of Bridgton. 
V. Franklin, son of Samuel, 1st, b. in Harrison, 

Nov. 20, 1817 ; married Frances Bailey, (she 
was b. Sept. 20, 1825) daughter of James ; set- 
tled in town, and carries on the wire business 
with Tolman and Caswell. Mr. Walker is a good singer, 
and an honest, kind-hearted man — a highly respected 
citizen, and neighbor. He has a fine residence and gar- 
den in the village. Children as follows : 
1. F. Gene, b. June, 1848 ; unmarried. 



124 HAERISOX, MAINE. 

2. Horace, b. Oct. 14, 1851 ; married Jennie 

Scribner, of Otisfleld, and lives in the village, 

where he keeps a store. 
vi. Mary, daughter of Samuel, 1st, b, in Harrison, 

July 19, 1821 ; married Simon Seavj', and 

lives in the village, a widow, 
vii. Zebah, daughter of Samuel, 1st, b. in Harrison, 

May 16, 1825 — a maiden lady in Waterville. 

2. Miriam Walker, born in Westbrook, Oct., 7, 1785 ; 

died young. 

3. Charles Walker, (Deacon) born in Westbrook, 

Oct. 1, 1787 ; married Sally liarbour, of Westbrook, 
(she was descended from a Scotch-Irish family that 
settled in York, Me., and intermarried with the 
family of Bean, one of whom, having escaped from In- 
dian captivity, acted as interpreter at l^'almouth Fort) and 
had issue, six children, of whom hereafter. He settled 
in Westbrook, but subsequently came to this town and 
settled were Granville Fernald now liv^es. Mr. Walker 
was one of ihe deacons of the F. W. Baptist church, and 
maguitied that ofUce, associated with Deacons Carsley 
and Bray. He was commissioned Captain of the Militia ; 
served as Town Clerk ; chairman of Selectmen and Jus- 
tice of the Peace, for many years ; always sustaining 
fully the contidence reposed in him. Deacon Walker was 
one of the " sweet singers of Israel," and the sacred 
songs that he sung in the house of God — usually stand- 
ing in the cougiegation — will not be forgotten by those 
who heard him ; he could "sing with the spirit and the 
understanding also." He lived highly respected, and died 
Aug. 19, 1859, deservedly lamented. Mrs. Walker sur- 
vives, and lives with Mr. Fernald, on the Deacon Walker 
farm. The children, as follows : 

i. Ednah, b. Nov. 9, 1810 ; m. Elias Howard, of 
Harrison, Oct. 15, 1832, and he having died, 
(drowned at North Bridgton) Oct. 20, 1834, 
she m. 2nd]y, to Jonathan Whitney, May 8, 
1839, and is living on her first husband's fam- 
ily-homestead — the " Howard farm." 



WATSOIf FAIVIILT. 125 

ii. Louis, b. Ang. 18, 1812 ; d. March 7, 1830. 

iii. Henhy, b. Sept. 5, 1811 ; m. Oliva Kropp, (of 

German descent) and lives in the West. No 

children, 
iv, Susan, b. Feb. 17, 1816 ; ni. to John Buniham, 

of Harrison, and settled in New York State, 

where she now liAes. 
V. Charles Barbour, b. Jnne 17, 1820 ; m. Abby 

J. May berry, of Casco, Nov. 29, 1841, and had 

issue, three children. Mr. Walker emigrated 

to the West many years ago, and died there, 

Jan. 2, 1872. He was a gxeat singer and 

teacher of music, 
vi. Elizabeth, b. April 11, 1828; m. Granville 

Fernald, and lives on the home farm. 

4. John Walker, b. in Westbrook, Sept. 3, 1791 : d. 

Nov. 24, 1791. 

5. Eunice Walker, b. in Westbrook, May 4, 1793 ; m. 

Bela Dawes, Oct. 21, 1819, and hved in this town. 

6. Eliza Walker, born in Westbrook, June 28, 1798 ; 

married Joshua Howard, of this town, (see How- 
ard family) in 1821, and 2ndly, David Woodsnm, 
of Harrison, Sept. 9, 1832; she is now living at 
Joshua Howard's. 



WATSON FAMILY. 

A family of Scotch origin. Eliphalet Watson came 
from Plymouth Colony, Mass., and settled very early in 
Gorham ; married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. John 
Phinney, and had ten children born to him. For history 
of the early generations, see " History of Gorham." 
1. James Watson, son of Eliphalet, was born in Gor- 
ham Fort, Aug. 3, 17G1; married Mary Davis; 
2ndly, Sarah, daughter of John Carsley, of Gor- 
ham ; and 3dly, Molly, sister of the second wife. 
Mr. Watson was a Eevolutiouary soldier, and one of the 
first settlers in Harrison. His homestead was on the 



126 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

Pond road, about one mile below the village, where 
Frank Kneelaud now (1877) lives; the house was prob- 
al)ly the first framed building in town. Mr. Watson had 
issue as follows : 

i. Mercy, daughter of James, b. in Gorham ; m. 

David P. Kneeland, Jan. 21, 1817 ; resides at 

Harrison. 

ii. Mary F., b. in Harrison, July 11, 1794 ; married 

Gee Hammon. 
iii. Isaac, b. June 27, 1796 ; m. Betsey, daughter 
of Jonathan and Susanna Packard, Oct. 7, 
1823, and settled in Harrison, as a stone-ma- 
son, living at the village. He had issue seven children, 
and died Sept. 10, 1862, aged 66 years ; his wife was born 
Sept. 17, 1799. Children : 

1. iNx ANT, b. July 5, 1823. 

2. Catherine, b. June 28, 1824. 

3. Susan P., b. March 28, 1825 ; m. Heber Kimball, 

Sept. 14, 1845. Lives in Harrison. 

4. Charles H., b. Oct. 1, 1827 : m. Ann Reed, of 

Lowell, Mass., resides in Cape Elizabeth, and 
has four children. 

5. Alpheus p., b. Sept. 27, 1829 ; d. July 2, 1832. 

6. Albert N., b. June 10, 1833 ; m. Ann Goodwin, 

of Somersworth; lives in Portland, and has 
three children. 

7. Mary L,, b. April 11, 1836 ; m. Charles Hutchin- 

son, and lives in Wells, Me. 

iv. Levi, son of James, b. in Harrison, Nov. 1, 
1801 ; m. Hannah, daughter of Elder Samuel 
Lewis, April 21, 1825, and moved to the East, 
where he died many years ago. He had chil- 
dren. 

V. Sally, daughter of James, b. in Harrison, July 
6, 1803 ; m. Ebenezer Cooksou. 

\i. Robert, son of James, b. in Harrison, July 6, 
1806, and died in town — unmarried. 



WOOD SUM FAMILY. 127 

CoLMAN Watson, was many years a resident in the 
Aillage, in this towu, and worked at the coopers' trade. 
He was a nephew of James Watson. He was twice mar- 
ried ; the second wife was Paulina Tuttle, married June 
13, 1847. Mr. Watson died April 2, 1849 ; he had a 
daughter who married a Billings, of Gorham. 



WOODSUM FAMILY. 

The Woodsums are of English dcvscent ; they came 
early to Berwick, and scattered thence into several towns 
in York county, and into Eastern Maine. John Wood- 
sum, born in Berwick, came to Harrison between 1797 
and 1800, and settled where Charles Hardin now lives. 
He was a builder, and framed some of the first houses in 
town; was chosen the Jirst Surveyor of lumber in town. 
Mr. Woodsum was married to Rebecca Kimball before 
coming here ; had issue, ten children, and died in 1820, 
aged 49 years ; his widow lived to be aged. Children : 

1. Polly Woodsum, born in Berwick, in 1797 ; married 

Libeus Caswell, of Harrison, Oct. 24, 1820. 

2. David Woodsuhi, born in Harrison, Oct. 14, 1801 ; 

married Eliza (Walker) Howard (see Howard fam- 
ily) of Harrison, and settled where he now lives, 
at the head of Anonymous Pond, in the " Wood- 
sum Neighborhood." Mr. Woodsum has been a good 
farmer, an<l is capable of doing almost any kind of me- 
chanical work. No children. 

3. John Woodsum, born in Harrison, Sept. 3, 1805 ; 

married Chloe Howard, (daughter of Joshua) June 

1, 1834, and settled in the valley near where he 

was born ; his laud adjoins that of his brothers', 

before and after-mentioned. Mr. Woodsum has a good 



Note. — There were several families of Watsons in Waterford, relatives to the 
Harrison stock ; also a family early iu Buxton, Me., of the same descent, name- 
ly: Coltnan llafeon, (supposed to' be an uncle of the above, and a brother of 
James) and his descendants. The name Volman came through the Phiuueys, 
from the Colmans of Mass. 



128 HARRISOK, MAINE. 

farm, and builds his own buildings and implements. 
Children as follows : 

i. Susan, b. May 11, 1831 ; m. Sigmond Beckman, 
a German, and 2ndly, Warren Dudley, of 
Waterford. She is now a widow, 
ii. John E., b. June 28, 1836; m. Fannie E. Foy, 
of Portland, and carries on carriage-making 
and ironing, near his father's house, 
iii. Silas B., b. Jan. 22, 1830 ; d. Aug. 22, 1863, at 
i^ew Haven, Conn. He was Cor^joral in Co. 
(t, 12th Maine Ueg., late war. 
iv. Elias H., b. July 11, 1811 ; m. Mary, daughter 
of Parker Lakin, of Harrison, and lives in 
Norway, He is a mill-wright and iron-ma- 
chinist — has issue, one child, Arthur F. 
V. Cora J., b. July 7, 1811 ; d. Nov. 23, 1862. 
vi. Daniel, b. March 12, 1817 ; m. Fannie, daugh- 
ter of Stephen Whitney, (see Whitney family) 
and lives at the village. He is an iron-ma- 
chinist — one son, Silas M. 
\ii. Frank M., b. Sept. 10, 1819 ; unmarried, 
viii. Marietta, b. Feb. 2, 1852 ; died an infant. 
ix. Clarence S., b. June 9, 1856 ; m. Alice, daugh- 
ter of Saunders Kimball, of Waterford, and 
has a son. 
1. Artemus Woodsum, born in Harrison, Jan. 13, 1807 j 
married Nancy Baker, and settled in the south end 
of the town, as farmer. Mr. Woodsum reared a 
large family, of whom hereafter. His wife died in 
1871, and he is now living with a maiden daughter. 
Children, 
i. David, b. in 1830 ; d. Nov. 22, 1851. He had 
married Argasine, daughter of Phineas Thomj)- 
son, and had a son, David, Jr. 
ii. Rebecca, b. in 18 — ; never m. — now keeping 
her father's house. She is a finely educated 
and accomplished lady. 

iii. Mary L., born in 1833 ; d. Jan. 10, 1819. 



WOODSUM FAMILY. 129 

iv. Nancy, b. iu 18 — ; lu, Emery, and bad 

issue. 
vi. Sarah J., b. in 1839 ; d. Dec. 21, 1804. 
vii. Ellen, b. in 18 — ; m. Mark Wetzler. 
viii. Abel, b. in 1840; d. Jan. 14, 1849. 

5. Abigail WooDSirM, born in Harrison ; married 

Luther Willougliby. 

6. Rebecca Woodsldi, born in Harrison ; married Ed- 

ward Scribner, of Gilead, Me. 

7. Benjamin F. Woodsum, born in Harrison, May 10, 

1813 ; married Abigail Lennell, of Otisfield ; set- 
tled in the "Woodsum ISJ'eig.hborhood," as a farmer, 
and lives there at the present time. Like his 
brothers, Mr. Woodsum is a good farmer, some- 
thing ot a mechanic, and a very good citizen. Chil- 
dren as follows : 

i. John L., b. April 8, 1840 ; m. in 1872, and lives 
in Oxford, Me. 

ii. Eyalena, b. Oct. 14, 1841 ; m. Joseph Wilbur, 
of Freeport, and died in 1875, 

iii. Benjamin F., b. Aug. 29, 1843. ) j. -, 

iv. William F., b. Feb. 7, 1848. i ^^^'^^^• 

8. Brackett Woodsum, b. in Harrison, in Jan., 1815 ; 

married Lucinda Lombard, of 0,tistieId ; settled in 
his native town, in the "Woodsum Xeighborhood," 
and subsequently emigrated to the West, where he 
now resides : his children, born in this town, were: 

i. SiT^iNER B., b. July 2, 1848. 

ii. Emeline, b. June 4, 1850. 

9. Dorcas A. Woodsum, b. in Harrison ; m. Dana 

Towne. 

10. Sarah Woodsutvi, born in Harrison ; married Al- 

bert Hnmblin, of Waterford, and is now a widow 
in that town. 



Note. — Joseph Woodsum, tailor, of Berwick, was 
ancestor of all families of the name iu Maine, so far as I 
can learn. He was probably born in England. Two 



130 HARRISOI^, MAI:N^E. 

sons of his were early settlers in Biddeford and Buxton^ 
in tliis state, \'iz : 3f wheel Woods urn, who married Eliza- 
bi'th Dyer, Aiigf. 24, 1749, and had sons Joseph, Johiij 
Ahner and Samuel, who were in the Revolution ; and 
Abigail, born in 1755 ; married Joseph Woodman, of 
Buxton, in March, 1773; she was a beautifid and accom- 
jilished lady. Ahiatha Woodsum, supposed to be a son 
of Joseph, the tailor, was also early in Buxton. He 
married, 1st, Mary, daughter of Humphrey Atkinson; 
2ndly, Susanna, daughter of Job Roberts, July 8, 1784 ; 
all of Buxton. Beacon Samuel Woodsum, of Saeo, (sub- 
se(iuently of Buxton) married Euuie'e Atkinson. Dorcas 
W -odsum married Saniuel Merrill. Lucretia Woodsum 
married John Cole, Oct. 18, 1781. Elizaheth Woodsum 
married John Lane, Jr., Feb. 4, 1786. Mary Woodsum 
married Josiali King, of Pepperillboro', (Saco) Feb. 18, 
171)0. Elizaheth Woodsum married John Beard, June 6, 
1802 ; these were children of the Michael and Abiatha 
before mentioned. John Woodsum, who came to Harrison 
was probably a cousin to Michael ; he may have been a 
younger brother ; he was a tax-payer in Berwick, in 1772. 



WHITEMORE FAMILY. 

This family were from Gorham, Me. Capt. Samuel 
Whitemore was a prominent citizen in that town dur- 
ing Revolutionary times ; he married Mary Whitney and 
had a family of twelve children, one of whom, Dorcas, 
was the wife of Dea. James Chadbourne, of this to^^i. 
Joel Whitemore, moved into this town as early as 1810 
and settled at the village where he opened and kept a 
small store. He was a brother of Mr. Chadbourne's wife, 
and also of Col. Samuel Whitemore, a brilliant young 
lawyer — a graduate of Dartmouth College — of Gorham. 

He was born about 1782, married Miss Hannah , and 

had children born in this town. Harriet Putman, 
daughter of the above, was born Jan. 23, 1821. 



AVITHAM FAjVIILY. 131 

WITHAM FAMILY. 

WiTHAM is a Scottish surname. Thomas Witham set- 
tled at Cape Ann, Mass., very early, he died there in 
1053. The families of this name that have lived in this 
town, are descended from Thomas, before mentioned, 
through several families that came from Cape Ann, to 
New Gloucester, in this state, where the name prevails at 
the present day. The first known to have lived here was, 

1. JEKE:vnAH Witham, a son of Jeremiah, who located 

where Samuel, York now lives, about 1799. He 
married Polly Bennett, and after living here a few 
years, sold to his brother and moved to Poland ; 
he had issue — Isaac, Jacob, Ira, Ehenezer, Jeremiah, 
Sarah, Mary, and some that died in infancy. 

2. Daniel Witham, a brother of Jeremiah, ^o. 1, mar- 

ried Elizabeth Knight, bought his brother's farm, 
and settled in this town. He was a large, corpu- 
lent man. Had issue as follows : 
i. Tamson, b. Dec. 31, 1810 ; m. Spofford Ingalls 

for his second wife. She was a woman of ex 

cellent character — a devoted christian. She 

died sometime since 1870. 
ii. SOPHRONIA, b. Dec, 1812 ; m. Spofford Ingalls, 

for his first wife, 1848 ; long since deceased, 
iii. Charlotte, b. July 5, 1814 ; m. John Lakin, of 

this town, and is still living, 
iv. Nancy, b. Dec. 20, 1815 ; m. Porter Baker, of 

Bridgtou, Me. 
v. Elizabeth, b. April 7, 1817. 
vi. Daniel, Jr., b. Oct. 23, 1818 — died young, 
vii. Abner K., b. March 23, 1820. 
viii. Susan, b. Sept. 13, 1822. 
ix. Clarinda, b. Feb. 10, 1824. 
X. Mary, b. Dec. 15, 1825. 
xi. Charles W., b. July 18, 1827. 



Note.— I am told that Daniel, 2(1, had three wives, and several children be- 
sides the above, among them, Emily, Deborah and Oardner. 



132 HARRISOX, MAINE. 

3. Isaac Witham, a brother of Daniel, 2d, married 

Sail}" Tracy, aud sometime lived on the place where 
Haskell P. Kneeland once lived — the yellow hoii.se 
near Dea. Seth Carsley's. 

4. Jacob Witham, a brother of Isaac, 3d, married Han- 

nah Harmon, and once lived in this town. 

5. Sally Witham, a sister to i^receding, died young, 

6. Lucy Witham, " " " " " 

7. Lydia Witham, " " " married Leander 

Harmon, of this town (see Harmon tamily.) 

8. Pattie Witham, never married.. 

9. Ira Witham, died young-. 

10. Ebenezer Witham, died young. 

11-. Jeremiah Witham — no other account. 
12. Mary Witham, died young. 

Benjamin Witham, a son of Jeremiah, 1st., married 
Uolly AVheeler, and once lived where Lincoln Walker 
now lives. Xo other information. 

Samuel Witham, brother of Benjamin, married 1st, 
Mary Estes (sister of Simeon) and had issue — Hannah, 
Mary and Stephen', he married 2ndly, Mary Hilboru, by 
whom no issue. Mr. Witham weighed over 300 i)ouuds, 
and was erect and handsome. 



Moses Witham, a resident of this tow^l at the present 
time, is a son of William, of ISew Gloucester, married 
Charlotte, daughter of Daniel Witham, of Harrison, and 
settled on a part of his father-in-law's farm; he has issue 
as follows, viz : Laura E., George M., Joseph W., Byron 
C, John F., Florence, Annie M., Fllzaheth, Wilbur C, Wes- 
ley E., George W., and two sons that died. This family 
are related to the other Harrison families, as proved by a 
pedigree of the New CJIoucester fauiily in my possession. 
I have a pedigree dating from 1G30 down to present date. 

Author. 

Note. — I thiuk Jeremiah Witham, who was I'atlier of Jeremiah, No. 1, had 
three wives, tlie second of whicli was Betsey (I'erry) Neal, a widow, by 
whom lie liad hanc, Uriannu and Elidn ; tlieiid wile was'Ann Maria Knight, of 
Portland — a wiilow — by whom, children, Daniel aud Mary Ann. 



WILLARD FAMILY. 133 

WILLARD FAMILY. 

The Willards are probably of Welsh descent. There 
were two families, from Sanford, came into this town at 
an early day, bnt what the relationship was between 
them, I have not been able to learn. The fathers were 
probably consins. 

1. Samuel Willard, settled on the fiirm now owned 
by the widow Davis — the " Everett place " — as a 
farmer. He was a leading man in town, and 
filled several positions of trnst, was Justice of the 
Peace, Town Clerk and Selectman. Died March 

11, 1849. He married Sarah and had issue as 

follows : 
i. Cynthia, b. July 14, 1804 ; m. Alonzo Bobbins, 
of Waterford, June 11, 1829 ; d. June 19, 1830. 
ii. Ida, b. May 2, 1806. 
iii. Darliska, born June 14, 1808. 
iv. Sarah, b. March 12, 1811. 
V. Samuel S., b. July 10, 1813— lives in Westbrook. 
vi. Elizabeth, b. July 2, 1816. 
vii. Rebecca, b. March 12, 1819 ; m, to Daniel May- 
berry, April 19, 1840 — now a widow, 
viii. George, b. April 24, 1823 ; d. Oct. 25, 1832. 



1. Benjamin Willard, probably a cousin to Samuel, 
Esquire, came to this town early, and settled on 
the farm since owned by Levi Burnham. His chil- 
dren, born of wife Sarah (they were married June 
16, 1805) as recorded on the town records are as 
follows : 
i. Otho, b. March 7, 1806. 
ii. Eunice, b. June 6, 1809. 
iii. Sarah, b. April 28, 1813 ; d. Oct. 6, 1815. 
iv. Nancy, b. Dec 21, 1818; d. Feb. 28, 1823. 
V. Nancy, b. May 14, 1823 ; d. Sept. 10, 1825. 
There was a Hiram Willard who married Sally Scrib- 
ner, June 5, 1818. 



134 HARRiso:^, mai:n^e. 

The widow of Benjamin Willard died iu 1876, aged 
nearly 100 years, and was buried iu this town. 



WESTON FAMILY. 

The Westons came from Gorham, aud settled in Otis- 
field quite early, James Weston is now living iu the 
east part of the town, an old man ; he is father to Dr. 
LoTON Weston, also Wendell Weston, who lives on 
the homestead, aud has been Selectman. This family are 
noted for their rem-dvk'dble Jirmness. 



WHITNEY FAMILY. 

This famil}- is of English desceut, aud is represented 
iu every State iu the Union. Few faudlies have been 
more prolific. The family in Goiham and Harrison (as 
well as iamilies iu Buxton, Standish, Windham and 
liaymond) are desceudetl from au ancient stock, that was 
eaiiy planted iu York, York County, Maine. A very full 
genealogy of the early generations, may be found in the 
Genealogical liegister, at the rooms of the " Genealogical 
Historical Society," 18 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass. 
This family is remarkable for the firmness aud force of 
cSiaracter of its meuibers ; indeed they are a people of 
singular stabiUty aud persistency of purpose. They have 
been possessed of strong physical orgauizatious, and 
frequently live to be very okl. Public spirited, aud pro- 
gressive, they have been foremost iu defeudiug the rights 
of their countrymen, and iu all matters designed for the 
elevation and well-being of society. 

Nathaniel Whitney, of York, Me., (supposed) mar- 
ried Molly Day, (she was born in York — had a brother 
Nathaniel) aud had a family of children, of whom Moses 
becjame ancestor of the Harrison family. Nathaniel, be- 
fore mentioned, had brothers, Nathan, Amos, Kep/itali, 
Isaac aud David ; these settled uear each other iu and 
near Gorham, Maine. 



WHITNEY FAMILY. 135 

Moses Whitney, son of Nathaniel, was born in Goi- 
bam, in 1739, and moved into Harrison abont the year 
1815, and settled with his son-in-law, Eev. Joseph Phin- 
ney, on the tann since known as the " Allison Libby 
Farm," now (1877) occupied by George Whitney. Mr. 
Whitney was twice married ; his 1st. wife was Molly Page, 
who was born in England, and whose father settled in 
Cape Elizabeth, when he came to New England ; she had 
issue, and died in Gorham. The 2d. wife of Mr. Whitney 

was Abigail , by whom lie had a daughter ; she died 

(Abigail) in Harrison, Oct. 8, ISl-l. He died April 12, 
1820, aged 81. Mr. Whitney was one of eleven of the 
name wlio were in the war of the Revolution, from Gor- 
ham and vicinity ; he was a pensioner. Many traditions 
still current in the family, show that Moses Whitney was 
a man of lemarkable i)h.ysical strength and courage ; 
he was a sturdy, unyielding, self-reliant character, but 
had much real kindness of heart — in short, he was the 
ideal pioneer of oui- early history. His children were as 
follows : 

1. Enoch Whitney, born in Gorham; 1773; married 

three times, \iz : 1st, Miss Newcomb, of Bii>stoii ; 

2nd, Mrs. Kendall, mother of the celel)rated bugle 

player, "Ned Kendall," and 3rd, a Mrs. Dennett, 

of Browntield. He lived in Limington, Standish, and 

Buxton, and subsequently, in 1810, came to Harrison, 

and settled on the Joseph Phinney farm. He had ten 

children by his first wife. He died in Biownrteld, May, 

1857, aged 81 years. Children : 

i. Daniel, b. in Limington, Jan. 22, 1793; m. Jan. 
19, 1815, to Susan, daughter of Nephtali Har- 
mon, 2nd, of Harrison, and died March 21, 
1873, aged 80 years. He was a farmer, in 
town ; had one daughter, Sally, b. March 1, 
1816. 

ii. Mary, ra. William Decker, of Casco. 
ill. Freeman, b. in Standish, March 9, 1800; m. 
Feb. 18, 1821, Mary S. Gray, (see Gray lamily) 



136 HAREISON, MAINE. 

of this town. A farmer. Died March 24^ 
1873, and was buried on the same day, anil 
at the same funeral with his brother Daniel, 
before mentioned. Children, eiglit in number, 
as follows: 

1. Stephen T., born May 15, 1821; married May 4, 

1845,Catherine Brown of AVaterford, and set- 
tled in town as farmer and veterinary sur- 
geon. His children, nine in number as follows: 

i. Mary, b. April 10, 184G, died an infant. 

ii. [RENE I., b. June 10, 1847; died June 23, 1865. 

iii. Ann E., b. July 11, 1849; unmarried. 

iv. Frances D., b, Feb. 19, 1851; married to Dan- 
iel Woodsum. 

V. Charles S., b. May 6, 1853; unmarried. 

vi. William H., b. May 12, 1853; unmarried. 

vii. Stephen H., b. Aug. 24 1857; unmarried. 

viii. Fred A., b. Xov. 20, 1859; unmarried. 

ix. Kate E., b. Oct. 20, 1861; unmarried. 

2. James G'., b. Dec. 20, 1822; married Jan. 3, 1846, 

Betsey H., daughter of Setli Carsley 2d, (see 
Carsley family (and settled in town as farmer. 
Children three in number, as follows: 

i. Charles F., b. Oct. 13, 1846; married. 

ii. Horace R., b. Oct. 3, 1847; unmarried. 

iii. Eleazer P., b. Feb. 15, 1852; unmarried. 

3. Edward K., b. Sep. 0, 1824; married Oct. 20, 

1848, to Arvilla Caswell, (see Caswell family) 
and settled in town as farmer. Mr. Whitney 
is one of our most successful and progressive 
.agriculturalists. He has engaged largely in stock-raising 
and tVuit growing, and takes an active position in all ag- 
ricultural, educational, iK)litical and religious movements; 
he is well informed on general topics, and is an honora- 
ble and highly respected citizen. Children, /o^a- in num- 
ber, as follows : 

i. Edward, b. Aug. 19, 1851; unmarried, 
ii. Harrison, b. OvA. 15, 1858; unmarried, 
iii. Fairfield, b. Feb. 20, 1862 ; unmarried. 



WHITNEY FAMILY. 137 

iv. Mary F., b. April 28, 1866 ; unmarried. 

4. George F., b. June 12, 1826 ; ui. ]S^ov. 16, 1818, 

to Mary A. Bailey, of Harrisou, and is now 
living- on the farm where his great-grand-father 
first settled, in this town. Children, three in 
number, as follows : 

i. George F., b. Sept. 24, 1850 ; m. and resides in 
town. 

ii. Frank H., b. May 30, 1852 ; ni. and resides in 
town. 

iii. Mary E., b. Aug. 15, 1855. 

5. Eleazer K., born May 13, 1828 ; married Jan. 

6, 1867, Mrs. OUve Green (daughter of Stephen 
Tibbetts, of Harrison) and worked at the vil- 
lage as shoe-maker. He now lives on the 
Pond Koad. Onlv child, Earnest F.^ born Julv 
17, 1867. 

6. William L., born June 12, 1832 ; married July 

3, 1854, to Maria Simpson, of Cambridge] )ort, 
Mass., where he now resides. Children as fol- 
lows ; Lizzie U., born Aug. 2, 1866, and one 
that died in infancy. 

7. Mary E., born Jan. 25, 1836; married Oct. 10, 

1866, John H. Caswell, of Bridgtou. 

8. Irene I., b. in Springfield, July 29, 1838 ; died 

May 6, 1846. 

iv. Eunice, daughter of Enoch, b.in Gorham, INIay 
30, 1807 , married March 4, 1824, Simon New- 
comb, of Buxton, and had issue. Died Aug. 
29, 1856. 

V. Eleazer, b. in Gorham, about 1809, died at sea 
in 1829 ; unmarried. 

vi. William, b. in Harrison (date unknown) 5 mar- 
ried Agnes Smith, of Lee, where he lived till 
his death. He had three sons and one daugh- 
ter. 

vii.2 John, son of Enoch, b. in Harrison, and died 
young. 



138 HAEEISON, MAmE. 

viii. Eli, son of Enocli, was Ihing only a few years 
ago, in this state, but I have no data. 

2. Moses Whitney, was a son of Moses, of Harrison. 

3. EiCHARD Whitney, was a son of Moses, of Harrison. 

4. Samuel Whitney, was a son of Moses, of Harrison. 

5. Molly Whitney, daugliter of Moses, of Harrison ; 

married to Lemuel Rounds, and emigrated to Ohio, 
about 1800. 

6. Betsey Whitney^, daughter of Moses, of Harrison, 

married to Jonas Gates, and emigrated to Il^ew 
York State. 

7. LucY" Whitney, daughter of Moses, of Harrison, 

married John Greenlaw, of Brownfield. 

8. Susanna Whitney, daughter of Moses, of Harrison, 

married Seth Carsley, 1st, (see Carsley family) of 
this town. 

9. Sally Whitney, daughter of Moses, married Eev. 

Joseph Phinney, (see Phinney family) of Harrison. 



